GSG 27-24 Respect At Work Campaign Leaflet for Election
29/October/2024
Description
Re Stop Union Busting: It’s Time for Action on Workers’ Rights – Support the Respect at Work Pledge
Union busting in Ireland is real, widespread, and must end. This general election gives us a vital chance to get this on the agenda for the next government and I need every member to help make this happen.
Employers are actively blocking workers from joining unions and fighting for fair conditions. This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a violation of workers’ rights. The CWU is leading the Respect at Work campaign to put a spotlight on these tactics and to demand stronger protections for all workers.
A recent report, “Union Busting: An Inconvenient Truth” by Queen’s University Belfast, documents the alarming extent of anti-union activities in Ireland. Workers are threatened, intimidated, or even fired simply for standing up for better conditions. This practice must be outlawed.
With this election we have a once-in-a-generation chance to change things. We’re asking every activist, member, retired member and ally to join us. Let’s hold every political candidate accountable – they want your vote, you want their support for fairness for workers.
Ask them to sign the Respect at Work Pledge—a commitment to support new laws that guarantee every worker’s right to unionise without fear. For your assistance we will circulate information leaflets to the home address of all members which sets out the demand for action on workers’ rights. When a candidate calls to your door you can ask if they will pledge to support new legislation to stand up for better right for workers.
Here’s How You Can Help:
- Mobilise every branch member to demand this support from all candidates.
- Engage with candidates at your doorstep regarding the content of the leaflet and ask them to commit to workers’ rights by signing the pledge.
- Visit RespectatWork.ie for more information and to lend your voice to the campaign by signing up to get the updates.
This election is a crucial milestone to advance worker’s rights. Let’s ensure every worker has the right to join and be represented by a Trade Union. The government must act to protect workers’ rights and together, we can make it happen.
Your efforts over the next four weeks will be pivotal and I know that we can be successful in getting this onto the agenda for government by making ourselves heard on the doorsteps.
I will revert to you separately regarding the distribution arrangements of the information leaflet.