Union let down by ICTU and the minister

MY union, the Prison Officers’ Association, has been let down by ICTU. They have stood back in the face of union-bashing on a scale not seen in a lifetime in this country.

It is intimidation on a grand scale.

What the Minister for Justice is saying in effect is that staff in the four prisons to be closed, plus the one already closed, represent an acceptable casualty level in the war he is waging on the POA.

Shame on you, minister, and shame on the Government for this abuse of workers who have been loyal servants of this state in its fight against terrorism, organised crime and every other form of crime.

The minister admits that there is no need or demand to close these prisons.

In fact, if we accept his terms of total surrender not just of our rights, but of our security and safety, then he won’t close prisons and our members in them will not be used as pawns.

This is sinister and dangerous. What of our great trade union movement?

I believe that political spindoctors and legal eagles have almost taken over our movement.

Where is the trade union belief that all members are equal, that principles are worth fighting for?

The minister, who clearly has decided that progress requires that decent men and women be transferred unnecessarily all over the country, should remember the words of Russell Baker: “Usually terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things.”

Noel Tuohy,

Portlaoise Prison,

Co Laois.