Mullins targets Bantry seat for Labour

THE man who has battled for workers’ rights in a long-running dispute with management at a Co Cork pharmaceutical company is preparing for another campaign, this time on the political stage.

SIPTU branch secretary Eddie Mullins recently unveiled final management proposals to workers at the embattled ADM plant in Ringaskiddy.

Results of a ballot on these, which should be known on Friday, will probably determine the future of the American-owned company, which locked out half its workforce on March 5 last in a row over restructuring.

A few days later it laid off the remaining 80 workers and has been closed ever since then.

Mr Mullins, who fought and won the right for 80 locked-out ADM workers to receive backdated Social Welfare payments, has been selected by the Labour Party to run for next year’s county council elections.

He will hoping to win a seat in the Bantry area, where he lives with his wife Geraldine and three children.

“I know there is a Labour vote in West Cork because I cover the area in my capacity as a trade union official.

“In 11 months time I have no doubt there will still be a backlash against the Government. The messages of support I’ve received already from non-aligned voters and even Fianna Fáil voters have been coming in hot and heavy,” Mr Mullins said.

He said the West Cork area had a record of Labour voting which was highlighted when the late Michael Pat Murphy, from Schull, was elected to the Dáil.

“A lot of hard work has to be done, but we’ll certainly give it our best shot,” Mr Mullins said.

In 1975, just two days after getting his Leaving Cert, he joined the Carbery Group in Ballineen.

“It was a great place to get a job at the time,” he said.

In 1995 he left to become a full-time trade union official, training under Joe O’Flynn who was recently appointed SIPTU general secretary.

Mr Mullins was appointed to the position of SIPTU No 2 branch secretary in December, 1997.

When the 80 locked-out workers at the ADM plant were refused welfare payments by a deciding officer and appeals officer, Mr Mullins took their case to the Social Welfare Tribunal and won.

The ruling meant all of the ADM workers had to given backdated benefits which amounted to approximately €195,000.

He fought the case on the basis that they were turning up for work but were being refused entry to the plant. The other 80 workers who were laid-off were automatically entitled to Social Welfare payments.