Hunger strikers just want the truth to be told

WOULD you go on hunger strike to highlight a grave wrong done to someone else?

I know of two such people, in Naas, Co Kildare, at this very moment. Why haven’t the media highlighted this astonishing story?

The people concerned are not celebrities, politicians, bankers or big businessmen, just blue collar workers out on strike.

They have been on strike for six months and their employers, Green Isle Foods, have rejected all initiatives by the Labour Relations Commission, National Implementation Body, the Labour Court and others aimed at resolving the dispute.

The company was forced into the Labour Court under current labour law last December by the TEEU, but it has refused to accept the court’s recommendations that it either reinstate the sacked men or pay them each €180,000 in compensation.

Last month shop steward Jim Wyse suggested that a hunger strike looked like the only option to highlight their plight. Even though he is only out supporting his sacked colleagues, he insisted he would be the first.

He started his hunger strike on February 15 and was joined by John Guinan, also a worker supporter, the following week.

A well-attended march in Naas last Saturday did little to highlight their plight as it got little accurate coverage by the media. Just imagine if the unthinkable were to happen and one of these brave men died, it would start a media circus. Newspapers would run front page stories on the dispute and editorials would lament this terrible tragedy. Radio and television coverage would be top story material with special edition programmes. Last Saturday was a day of contrasts, sunny weather and big crowds versus tearful wives and family members accompanying their dignified, hungry men on the march.

The men spoke from the podium, not to deride the company but to express their concern for their loved ones who have to endure a very worrying time.

As I drove home to Cork, I felt sad, helpless and ashamed that yet another scandal was being swept under the carpet in Ireland.

These ordinary citizens can’t hire media consultants to colour their story – they just want the truth to be told. There is a duty on the media to seek it out and tell it.

Joe Carr

Glenthorn Mews

Dublin Hill

Cork