Protest to support Thomas Cook Workers

national | worker & community struggles and protests | press release

Tuesday August 04, 2009 06:11

by Laura - Thomas Cook Workers Support Group

lauracfitzgerald at gmail dot com

087 6418519

Thomas Cook workers' occupation forcibly broken up by over 80 Gardai - Protest at 1pm outside Four Courts today in support

From Saturday, over 40 workers have been occupying the Thomas Cook store on Grafton St., protesting against job losses and claiming for improved redundancies. At approximately 5am over 80 Gardai began to force entry into the occupied Thomas Cook store on Grafton Street, after physically removing over 30 supporters from in front of the premises. Gardai smashed the glass of the front window of the store in order to gain entry. Workers were removed one by one from the building, including a woman who is eight and a half months pregnant. Cllr Matthew Waine of the Socialist Party and Cllr Richard Boyd Barrett of People Before Profit were occupying the building in support of the workers and have also been arrested.

Cllr Matthew Waine of the Socialist Party said: "It is an absolute disgrace that the state have moved to protect the interests of the profiteering multinantional, Thomas Cook by doing their dirty work. These brave workers have taken a stand, not only for their own rights, but also in the interests of the mass of working people in this country who are getting it in the neck from the government and the employers. I appeal to all workers and unemployed to assemble at 1pm outside the courts in support of these workers."

Cllr Matthew Waine continued : "A woman worker who is due to give birth imminently was removed from the premises by the Gardai. Shamefully, as she was removed in an ambulance the Gardai refused her request that her husband be present with her. In contrast, Thomas Cook boss, Manny Fontenla-Novoa made a bonus of £7 million last year for his job culling approach - the Irish government have shown clearly yet again they're shamelessly on the side of the bankers and millionaires".

THOMAS COOK WORKERS SUPPORT GROUP - CALLS ON WORKERS TO PROTEST AT 1pm TODAY OUTSIDE THE FOUR COURTS

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Comments (6 of 6)

RING TO PROTEST NOW

Tue Aug 04, 2009 07:54

Over 30 workers occupying Thomas Cook store in Dublin have been physically removed by police and have been arrested.

Workers are currently being remanded at the Bridewell before being hauled before the courts at 2pm today. Phone 01 6668200 to register your protest at the Bridewell.

Messages of protest can also be sent to the Four Courts [email protected] and 01 888 6426.

Messages of support can be sent to the workers via their 'Stop Thomas Cook Shop Closures' Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=117888...ef=mf

Place

by D_D

Tue Aug 04, 2009 10:30

This (the Four Courts) is presumably the correct place for today's demonstration at 1 pm. There are two texts circulating, one saying the place is the Bridewell. There's a poster around town saying the Bridewell also.

Good to have Indymedia.

Protest Today

by Peter

Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:03

They're right beside each other. Detainees will be coming from Bridewell to the Four Courts so might be no harm to start there and move over to the Four Courts.

Two protests must unite from bridewell starting point.

by fiifth horseman

Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:44

It is quite clear that two protests have been called. Lack of co-ordination. Best as others have suggested to start at the bridewell and move towards the four courts.

GOOD WISHES FOR YOUR CAMPAIGN AGAINST INJUSTICE

by old codger - pensioner

Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:41

The gardai will treat you like they treat the people of Rossport and it will take courage to stand against them, so watch out for dirty tricks.
They no longer respect the people but act for the Fianna fail state.
BEST WISHES IN YOUR FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE.

As crisis deepens, so does Irish anger, thinking, action, solidarity, creativity, more action....

by dunk

Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:53

Lengthly discussion on P.IE regarding the situation, with over 400 replies and growing since the morning...

Jail workers while bankers go free. Justice, Ireland style?
http://www.politics.ie/current-affairs/90752-jail-worke....html

Hopefully, more and more people are awakening out of the depths of the Tiger slumber, seems so.
Solidarity from Barcelona with all taking action to improve their world(s)

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Protest to support Thomas Cook Workers

Comments (6 of 6)