Left-wing groups call for 24-hour strike to reverse budget cutbacks

FURIOUS left-wing political groups have called for workers to join a nationwide strike in the wake of the budget and questioned whether leading trade union leaders should continue to hold power.

The United Left Alliance (ULA) is arranging a protest outside the Dáil next Wednesday and appealed to the public, union members and others hit by the budget to join ranks in calling for a reverse of certain cuts.

The alliance also said members of the main opposition parties in Labour and Fine Gael were offering a “shabby deal” to the electorate to secure power. Launching a call for a protest and a national 24-hour strike, MEP and ULA leader Joe Higgins called for a reverse in cuts made to welfare benefit and the minimum wage.

“We have to continue to protest, continue to mobilise the power of the people onto the streets,” he argued.

Trade union UNITE had already given its backing to next week’s protest as well as a vote on possible industrial action, said the alliance.

The ULA questioned the lack of action by leading trade union groups in fighting against the EU/IMF bailout deal.

It was time for leaders like SIPTU’s Jack O’Connor and ICTU chief David Begg to stand up against budget cuts and take action, warned alliance member and councillor Richard Boyd Barrett.

“They should act or get out of the way,” said Mr Barrett about the two union leaders, pointing out that there had been no call by them for further protests since the recent Dublin march.

Union leaders were also still on huge wages, he added.

“There’s boiling anger in many of the unions that they have failed, were too close to government and had their feet under the table with them.”

The alliance also called on Labour and Fine Gael to reveal a programme for government ahead of the new year general election.

“It’s a decision for the so-called opposition — are they more with the financial vultures of Europe or the people.”

The wealthy had also escaped severe cuts in the budget unlike children, the unemployed and ordinary working families, said the group.

The alliance are planning a protest outside the Dáil at 6pm next Wednesday to coincide with a debate and vote on the EU/IMF bailout.

Picture: Carers protest Budget cuts outside the Dáil (Mark Stedman/Photocall)