Thousands took to the streets of Waterford on 4 February 2009 in support of protesting Waterford Crystal workers who have been occupying the plant since 30 January 2009. Union leaders representing the…
Thousands took to the streets of Waterford on 4 February 2009 in support of protesting Waterford Crystal workers who have been occupying the plant since 30 January 2009. Union leaders representing the 580 staff made redundant in the last week of January are now planning a national day of workers“ solidarity in response to job losses and cutbacks throughout the country. Representatives of the Unite union confirmed it will stage the protest on the streets of Dublin on 14 February 2009. Several thousand people from Waterford and the wider region came together on 4 February to call for a reversal of the decision to close the iconic, but loss-making plant. They also expressed anger at the company“s pension scheme, reported to be up to EUR 100 million in deficit, and troubled pension schemes at other businesses. “It“s a national disgrace that you have no jobs, no redundancy and no pensions”, said SIPTU branch secretary Marie Butler. Negotiations were continuing between the receiver, union officials, and two potential buyers of the Waterford Crystal assets, in an attempt to re-start manufacturing. It is understood workers want US consortium Clarion Capital to buy the company out, as they are reported to have committed to maintaining crystal production in Waterford for at least 10 years, as well keeping the visitors“ centre running. Tom Hogan, president of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions and an employee of Waterford Crystal for over 40 years, contrasted the workers“ fate with that of “the people who gorged themselves at the Celtic Tiger trough over the last 10 years”.He called on workers everywhere to come together for the national day of demonstration on 14 February 2009. A message of solidarity from Liverpool dock workers was read out by Unite regional co-ordinator Sean Kelly, including a reminder of the support given by Waterford Crystal workers to striking dockers during their 28-month dispute. Mr Kelly said the receivers had made an “error of judgment” on 30 January 2009 by closing the factory and sending in security staff to keep out the employees. “They under-estimated how resolute the workers would be”, he added. British prime minister Gordon Brown said 4 January 2009 he tried to save the jobs of the Wedgwood workers over Christmas before the company went into administration. Mr Brown promised in the House of Commons to do all he could to save the posts at the Waterford Wedgwood-owned plant in Staffordshire.