Unions have vital role in fight against austerity

Make no mistake, the march organised on Saturday, by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions was not just about the bank debt. It was also an anti-austerity march.

If it was not — then for me and a dozen friends who turned up — it was an utter waste of a precious Saturday. Minister Leo Varadkar’s comments on RTÉ Radio 1 that certain parties would turn this march into an anti-austerity march were swiftly and correctly challenged by the union representative on the programme.

Yes, the banking debt has accelerated austerity. However, the effects of austerity have meant that domestic demand in the economy has been reduced. If left unchecked, austerity will diminish if not eradicate demand altogether.

Austerity has certainly led to a crusade against costs. Workers all around the country can testify to this with many lower-paid workers bearing the brunt of cost cuts. Others in the upper echelons continue to remain insulated. However, this crusade brings its own cost — corners get cut and safety parameters encroached. We have seen this with the horsemeat scandal. The union movement must — and will — continue to fight austerity and its effects on our society. It must do so if it is to remain a vibrant and relevant movement in the modern world.

Killian Brennan

Malahide Road

Dublin 17