Speaking after the March for Justice for the striking Green Isle Foods workers in Naas, Co Kildare on Saturday 27th February, Mick Finnegan, President of the Workers’ Party congratulated the striking workers for their dedication and tenacity.

“This strike” said Mr Finnegan “is of vital importance not only to the workers here in Green Isle and their families, but it is also of vital importance for every private sector worker in this country. Green Isle Foods, their parent company Northern Food Plc (a UK based food conglomerate) and IBEC are attempting to bulldoze their way to victory. They are attempting to trample all over workers who join a union, the union itself, as well as the entire state apparatus of industrial relations.”

“The company has also descended to the most base level of black propaganda against the striking workers. It is appaling that the lies this company has spread are still been given coverage by some elements in the media despite the very clear findings to the contrary by the Labour Court. This is all a bit much coming from a company in receipt of €43 million of taxpayers’ money.”

“Let there be no doubt” continued Mick Finnegan “that if the union had behaved in the same cavalier fashion as Green Isle Foods then they would have been subjected to a media witch hunt and furthermore would have found themselves hauled before the courts on all sorts of contempt charges. However we know from long and bitter experience that the establishment will never turn on one of its own.”

“As workers and trade unionists we know that there is only one route to victory. Our major weapon is unity. Unity amongst the workers here in Green Isle Foods. Unity amongst the entire trade union movement in support of these strikers. Unity and solidarity from every progressive party and group in this country. That is why I am delighted to be here today with Workers Party members from the entire region to support this strike.”

“I wish in particular” concluded Mick Finnegan “to offer my solidarity to Jim Wyse, John Guinan and their families. It is an indication of the depth of their commitment that these men have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike in support of their just demands. It is a little known fact that on November 1st 1913 the first death in Ireland in the 20th century from hunger strike was of the trade unionist James Byrne. It is too terrible to contemplate that this history might be repeated in the 21st century.”

Saturday 27th February 2010