Two unions urge no vote

ANTI-Lisbon trade unionists met in Dublin yesterday to issue a call to private and public sector workers to vote no in the referendum.

The officials from Unite and the TEEU said it was important for workers to stand up for colleagues across Europe.

They said the trade union movement had held a vigorous debate on the supposed benefits and drawbacks to workers of what is being proposed in this referendum. The officials said there had been a wide variety of views expressed.

“Equal recognition of the rights of working people is essential if Europe is to deliver a sound, fair future for its citizens,” said Jimmy Kelly, Irish regional secretary of Unite.

“Lisbon does nothing to recognise this and as a result we have from the outset advised our own membership to vote a resounding no on June 12.

“We now appeal to all workers to stand up for their rights by rejecting Lisbon and sending a clear message that Europe should be as much about social as economic wellbeing.”