Here's How You Can Support The Ballinasloe Corrib Oil Workers On May Day!
Workers at Corrib Oil in Ballinasloe, County Galway, have been engaged in an industrial dispute with management of the company since December of last year. Their demands are simple - for their employer to recognise their right to be represented by their union, Mandate, and to agree to a procedural agreement to deal with any issues that might arise for the workers.
The workers have held a number of pickets since the dispute started, but management have still refused to engage with their union. Instead they have adopted tactics such as lowering the price of fuel during pickets, parking a lorry between the picket and the store, and reducing the working hours of known union activists.
Speaking in relation to the dispute, Mandate member and President of the Galway Council of Trade Unions, Eoghan Fox, said, "The Mandate strike in Corrib Oil is important on a number of levels, not least the fight for union recognition. It's being organised and led by young people, many of whom are paid sub-minimum rates of pay.
They're an absolute inspiration to activists in the union movement, and should stand as an example to other young people struggling to earn a living in the current crisis.
To that end, the Galway Council of Trade Unions have called a protest on 1st May - International Workers' Day - from 12.30 to 2.30pm, in support of the Mandate picket at Corrib Oil".
Eoghan Fox (right) on a Mandate picket outside of Corrib Oil in Ballinasloe, County Galway
Éirígí Galway representative, Ian Ó Dálaigh, is also encouraging people to support the Corrib Oil workers in their demands, and to attend the May Day protest, "On behalf of Éirígí, I offer our full support and solidarity to the workers on strike at Corrib Oil in Ballinasloe. It's great to see these workers take a stand for their right to decent working conditions.
Éirígí members will be attending the protest at Corrib Oil on 1st May, and I would encourage members of the public to do the same. The constant attack by employers on the right to union representation must be opposed by all right-thinking people. The Corrib Oil workers deserve the support and solidarity of the wider community".