SA embassy won’t recognise anti-apartheid union
Today is the 20th anniversary of the strike, which started with Dunnes Stores workers refusing to handle South African goods because their union at the time, IDATU, was opposed to the apartheid system.
The strike lasted almost three years until the Irish Government imposed a ban on the importation of South African goods here.
The 10 women and two men who stayed on the Dunnes Stores picket line in Dublin were instrumental in changing Irish Government policy, said their union official Brendan Archibold.
“They were not really political, knew very little about South Africa but once they heard the story of apartheid it struck such a chord and they were prepared to go the whole hog to help these people,” Mr Archibold added.
The trade union IDATU has since amalgamated with MANDATE and they have recruited members in the South African embassy in Dublin.
“But we have fallen out with the South African government because their embassy here will not give union recognition to our members,” Mr Archibold said.
He thinks it ironic that the South African Government will not recognise the trade union which fought to end apartheid there.
But South African ambassador Melanie Verwoerd said the union recognition sought by three of her staff - out of 14 - cannot be equated to the struggle against apartheid.
“The decision regarding full union recognition was taken by the South African Government based on the interpretation of international law and the principle of sovereign immunity, which all governments adhere to,” Ms Verwoerd said.
The South African government continues to express its gratitude for the contribution made by the Dunnes Stores strikers and the people of Ireland in the struggle against apartheid, their ambassador said.
Meanwhile, the Dunnes Stores strikers will have a reunion in Dublin tonight to celebrate the anniversary.
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