President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and has wife Sabina Higgins gave a warm and comradely welcome to representatives of SIPTU and the wider trade union movement at a special garden party held in Áras an Uachtaráin, on 30th June.
In a rousing speech, President Higgins said it was a day to “celebrate trade unions, a movement without borders, opposing sectarianism and racism”. He said trade unions must be a “moral voice” within our society.
In his speech, President Higgins passionately reflected and celebrated all the trade union movement has achieved in the long and difficult struggle for workers’ rights in Ireland and across the globe.
The garden party celebrated the work of current and past activists fighting for workers’ rights and standing in solidarity with colleagues, fellow citizens and people all over the world in struggles against injustice, inequality and exclusion.
“Contrary to what we may sometimes be led to believe, by a bogus assertion of excessive expertise there is no concept that is beyond comprehension by our citizens if it is explained effectively.
It is vital that trade unions are to the forefront in building the progressive and emancipatory public education that is necessary to allow everyone across our society to advocate for their essential rights and to participate in the decision-making process,” said President Higgins.