Court orders bricked-in workers to leave

CONSTRUCTION workers who barricaded themselves behind bricked-up entrances to their union headquarters have been told by the High Court they must vacate the building.

Carpenter Daniel O’Connell, of Donard, Co Wicklow, and his son, Daniel, were warned that if they, and “unknown others” inside the building, did not obey the court order an application could be brought to imprison or fine all of them.

Mr Justice Kevin Feeney made permanent orders restraining the O’Connells and other protesters from continuing to occupy the offices of the Building and Allied Trade Union (BATU) at Arus Hibernia, Blessington Street, Dublin. He also granted injunctions restraining any interference or damage to the offices or the removal or interference with any union files.

Barra Faughnan, counsel for BATU, told the court the occupation centred around a dispute that had arisen in May when two regional organisers of BATU had been made redundant. The protesters had since been demanding the resignation of some members of the union management structure.

Patrick O’Shaughnessy had told the court the occupation was an attempt to subvert the work of the union and take control of it. He said the regional organisers had been let go due to the falling employment in the building sector and falling union subscriptions.

Since May six members of the union’s office staff have been on strike and picketing the offices, which had been taken over on Sunday last.

The court heard that Mr O’Connell, chairman of BATU’s Carpenters’ Branch, had told the media in interviews the sit-in would continue until the entire senior management of BATU had resigned.

Yesterday, Mr O’Connell told Judge Feeney he and his son had been brought before the court by Mr O’Shaughnessy without the consent of the National Executive Council, the union trustees or the members they represented.

He said all members were concerned that with the state of the construction industry they needed a strong union.

Members were also concerned there were financial irregularities in the union and Mr O’Shaughnessy had refused an audit demanded by the majority of the trustees.

He said members believed the leadership of the union had failed to act to “fix problems” and described a statement allegedly made by Mr O’Shaughnessy that the six striking employees could starve was not an appropriate response of any employer.

Mr O’Connell said he would appeal in court to all parties to sit down around a table and attempt to find a resolution to the union’s problems.

Judge Feeney said that in disputes where there was a possibility of mediation, the courts inevitably recommended it.

The O’Connells were supported both outside and inside the court by more than 20 union members.