‘ANTI-UNION’ LAW RAPPED IN TRANSPORT STRIKE ROW
SOLIDARITY Party TD Mick Barry is calling for a repeal of the “anti-union” Industrial Relations Act 1990.
Mr Barry, a member of the Oireachtas Transport, Tourism and Sport Committee, issued the call yesterday.
His plea came after Iarnrod Eireann issued a threat to sue the NBRU for secondary picketing.
Deputy Barry described the Act introduced by a Fianna Fail-progressive Democrat government as “anti-union legislation”.
He claimed it had been inspired by the policies of the former Thatcher government in the UK.
The Cork North Central deputy said the action taken by bus and rail workers yesterday stood in the best traditions of Connolly, Larkin and the 1913 campaign.
He said the battle waged by trade unionists in 1913 would be illegal under the Industrial Relations Act.
Deputy Barry added that the refusal of Transport Minister Shane Ross to intervene makes a repeat or even an escalation of the action almost inevitable.
He concluded by saying other trade unions should not stand idly by if attempts are made to injunct and bankrupt the NBRU. Intercity and commuter rail services and Dublin Bus and DART services were seriously affected yesterday.
Cross-border rail and bus services were also impacted as a result of the
action.