Mick Clifford: No united front as veteran trade unionist at odds with employer

Prominent trade unionist claims he is being marginalised and pushed out by Unite

Brendan Ogle has been removed from the Right2Water campaign, despite his role in initiating it and being the primary organiser.
Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

A worker is in trouble. He feels he’s being bullied, marginalised by management, pushed towards the door. Who you gonna call?

One of the first calls that might be recommended in such a scenario would be to Brendan Ogle, probably the most prominent trade union figure of the last 20 years or so. He has a reputation for taking on management in situations where he feels workers are getting a raw deal, often even as fellow trade unionists might hesitate and look for a more pliable alternative.