Trade unionists, socialists and other progressives took to the streets of Dublin yesterday to mark International Workers’ Day.
The themes of the march, which was organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, included housing, a decent health service and repeal of the eighth amendment. Participants assembled outside the Garden of Remembrance at 6.30pm, before marching down O’Connell Street and along Eden Quay until they reached Liberty Hall, where they were greeted by speakers from organisations such as the National Homeless and Housing Coalition, Still Waiting health service campaign and the Trade Union Campaign to Repeal the 8th Amendment.
Other speakers included Sam Nolan, Secretary of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, whose speech touched on all three topics around which the march was centred, and Joe Conroy, chair of the Unite branch committee in Irish Life, who spoke about the recent Irish Life strike and revealed tactics used by the company to intimidate the striking workers.
Additionally, Honorary Vice President of SIPTU, Bernie Casey, spoke about health care and highlighted the case of Section 39 workers in their continuing struggle to improve conditions in their workplace. The crowd were entertained by music after the speakers had finished, followed by a social event in Liberty Hall.
