No friendly welcome for Siptu call to back Jack
THE Liberty Hall election machine is cranking up but not everyone is best pleased. An email last week from a senior Siptu official to all union staff said that Jack O’Connor, who just stepped down as Siptu president, will contest a general election seat in Wicklow for Labour: “Irrespective of political affiliations, a number of colleagues have expressed a desire to assist him during his campaign,” it said.
“Assistance can take many forms, for example, canvassing, leafleting, fundraising, activity on social media, administrative work, etc are all vital to a successful campaign.” Staff were invited to a ‘Friends of Jack O’Connor’ meeting next week. But within minutes an outraged Siptu staffer responded: “This email should not have being [sic] sent to all staff as not all staff share your and Jack’s enthusiasm for the Labour Party. Other members of staff, like myself have different political affiliations. The question is, will other Siptu staff members running in the general election for different parties be afforded the same facilities.”
IRISH rich list regular Roma Downey is to team up with US TV producer Will Packer to produce The Baxters, the first scripted drama for Downey’s Lightworkers Media streaming platform. Lightworkers is a joint venture of Downey, MGM Television and Digital and Mark Burnett, Downey’s husband and head of MGM TV. The platform is described as a “faith and family” service and is the latest project in Downey’s development of Christian content. Downey and Burnett previously produced The Bible.
According to industry mag Variety, the Baxters is based on the novel series about the ups and downs of a large family with six adult children. Derry-born Downey said that the tone of the show would be heart-warming and moving. “It’s going to have a nice contemporary feel that will make it accessible for everyone. It is certainly a change of tone for Baxter, known for ‘low-budget, high-profit movies’, among them Ride Along and Think Like a Man. However, the so-called faith market is tipped as one of the most lucrative and untapped markets in the US.