Trade unions must work with left-wing parties to ensure that the electorate has a credible alternative to the ‘most conservative Government in living memory’, the SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Adrian Kane, told his members’ conference in Galway.
Addressing more than 200 delegates, who represent workers throughout the services industries, in the Clayton Hotel in Galway, Kane said: “Ireland has now found itself with its most conservative government in living memory. I get the sense that there is feeling of buyer’s remorse about. If there was a credible left of centre cohesive alternative on offer, I genuinely believe people would vote for it, but there wasn’t in the last General Election.
“We in the trade union movement, and this Union in particular, need to encourage that the parties in opposition work together as they did in recent weeks to ensure that there is an alternative credible left of centre proposition put before the electorate at the next general election.”
Kane called for the union movement to be at the forefront of the fight against racism and the integration of migrants into the workforce. He said: “We now have Trump, a misogynist, a racist, a billionaire ruling the US, the AFD in Germany, a nakedly fascist party, will likely be the second largest party in Germany after the next general election later this month.
“We can expect, no doubt, a resurfacing in racism, misogyny and xenophobia throughout our society. We will need to be on our guard. We will be on the front line. and we need to be a welcoming union for immigrants who have come to our country to make a better life for themselves.”
The Conference will discuss motions on a number of issues, including Union organisation, increasing incidents of antisocial behaviour toward workers, the State Pension and greater protection for artists’ earnings. Among those who will address the conference are former ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley and ICTU Social Policy Officer, Laura Bambrick.