STRONG SUPPORT FOR OMAGH RALLY TO OPPOSE INTIMIDATION OF WORKERS
Strong support for Omagh rally to oppose intimidation of workers
TRADE unionists and community groups in Omagh are holding a rally at the Courthouse at lpm on Friday. This is part of the trade union campaign across Northern Ireland in opposition to the intimidation of postal workers and school staff.
The rally is being supported by all the major unions in the town, including the postmen's and teachers, and by FOCUS, the umbrella body for community groups. It will be addressed by representatives of the teachers' and the postmen.
And the Chamber of Commerce has also thrown its weight behind the rally. The President, Tom McEIholm urged businesses to facilitate their staff so that they can attend the rally in Omagh on Friday.
He said it was intolerable that workers should be in fear for their lives as they go out to earn a living. "We need to give them all the support we can" he added.
In a statement on behalf of the organizers, Communication Workers' Union members Ivan Gilmour and Albert McFarland said: "When Omagh was struck by the bomb four years ago, there was huge solidarity across Northern Ireland and further afield. Today, postal workers and school staff at all levels are under threat.
"It is now time for Omagh to repay the solidarity that was shown to us by standing with those who are today under threat, by standing in solidarity with the family and workmates of Daniel McColgan. This community can, more easily than some others, understand the horror that was visited upon them."
Gilmour and McFarland went on to say that the postal and education services were essential. Their members had suffered enough over the years, and given first class service to the community through difficult times.
"They deserve our solidarity. So do the ambulance and fire personnel, who have also been attacked. There is no place for this barbarous behaviour," they said.
"Northern Ireland suffered enough over more than 30 years. There can be no going back to the dark days of the Troubles, no return to the horrors that were inflicted on all sections of our community during those years. This rally is a rejection of all those who want to drag our community backwards," they said.
"It is also an affirmation of the fact that trade unions and community groups bring together people from all political and religious backgrounds, in solidarity with one another. They are the only organizations to do so," they concluded.
The organising committee for the rally comprises members of the following unions NIPSA (Public Service), Ulster Teachers' Union, GMB (garment workers), Irish National Teachers' Organisation, National Union of Journalists, Communications Workers' Union, National Association of School Teachers Union of Women Teachers, UNISON (Health Workers), and Transport and General Workers' Union, as well as the FOCUS community organisation, which brings together all community groups in Omagh.
Also lending his support to the rally is Gerry Loughran, head of the Civil Service who urged managers in the various departments of the civil service to allowing staff to attend.
TRADE unionists and community groups in Omagh are holding a rally at the Courthouse at lpm on Friday. This is part of the trade union campaign across Northern Ireland in opposition to the intimidation of postal workers and school staff.
The rally is being supported by all the major unions in the town, including the postmen's and teachers, and by FOCUS, the umbrella body for community groups. It will be addressed by representatives of the teachers' and the postmen.
And the Chamber of Commerce has also thrown its weight behind the rally. The President, Tom McEIholm urged businesses to facilitate their staff so that they can attend the rally in Omagh on Friday.
He said it was intolerable that workers should be in fear for their lives as they go out to earn a living. "We need to give them all the support we can" he added.
In a statement on behalf of the organizers, Communication Workers' Union members Ivan Gilmour and Albert McFarland said: "When Omagh was struck by the bomb four years ago, there was huge solidarity across Northern Ireland and further afield. Today, postal workers and school staff at all levels are under threat.
"It is now time for Omagh to repay the solidarity that was shown to us by standing with those who are today under threat, by standing in solidarity with the family and workmates of Daniel McColgan. This community can, more easily than some others, understand the horror that was visited upon them."
Gilmour and McFarland went on to say that the postal and education services were essential. Their members had suffered enough over the years, and given first class service to the community through difficult times.
"They deserve our solidarity. So do the ambulance and fire personnel, who have also been attacked. There is no place for this barbarous behaviour," they said.
"Northern Ireland suffered enough over more than 30 years. There can be no going back to the dark days of the Troubles, no return to the horrors that were inflicted on all sections of our community during those years. This rally is a rejection of all those who want to drag our community backwards," they said.
"It is also an affirmation of the fact that trade unions and community groups bring together people from all political and religious backgrounds, in solidarity with one another. They are the only organizations to do so," they concluded.
The organising committee for the rally comprises members of the following unions NIPSA (Public Service), Ulster Teachers' Union, GMB (garment workers), Irish National Teachers' Organisation, National Union of Journalists, Communications Workers' Union, National Association of School Teachers Union of Women Teachers, UNISON (Health Workers), and Transport and General Workers' Union, as well as the FOCUS community organisation, which brings together all community groups in Omagh.
Also lending his support to the rally is Gerry Loughran, head of the Civil Service who urged managers in the various departments of the civil service to allowing staff to attend.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0922
Published Date: 17-Jan-02
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