Factory workers take protest to Navan streets

A protest at the failure of the Dunbia meat factory at Beauparc to engage with trade unions, despite a Labour Court recommendation, took place in Navan on Saturday. The demonstration was organised by the Unite trade union, which represents the workers and was attended by other trade union representatives, including SIPTU, Impact, TUI, ASTI and the migrants' organisation, Cultúr. Among those who attended were Deputy Peadar Tóibín, Cllr Anton McCabe and Socialist Party TD, Joe Higgins. Unite's Claire Keane said the company was still refusing to engage with the union. She pointed out that Dunbia was a profitable company and all the workers wanted was for the company to engage with them. Cllr McCabe called on the owners to implement the Labour Court recommendation. "Dunbia have have granted trade union recognition to the workers in their three other plants in the country, namely Tyrone, Antrim and Kilbeggan. The Beauparc workers are only looking for the same treatment," he said. Cllr McCabe said the situation in Beauparc was akin to the apartheid system that prevailed in South Africa, where sections of people were denied a civil right to speak and represent themselves. "The plant in Beauparc is staffed mainly by economic migrants, who are members of the Unite trade union; some of them have freedom of movement and a number of them are on work permits," he said. "The workers have elected a shop steward and a health and safety representative, yet they are denied recognition," he added. Cllr McCabe said the workers had helped build the company to be a giant in the meat industry, they worked hard for their minimum wage and all they were asking for was to be treated the same as their fellow workers on this island. Deputy Tóibin said it was wrong that the Beauparc site was the only one belonging to this company that had not been given proper free union recognition. "There is no justification for the refusal of union recognition anywhere," he said. He said the Labour Court did not have the legislative teeth to implement its decisions, describing this as a legacy of the right-wing parties of government that had ruled the State since its inception. "It must be stated at this point that union recognition and collective bargaining rights are not incongruent with a healthy and vibrant economy. Sweden has a strong framework for protecting workers' freedom of association rights. Their constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to strike. Under the law, workers are free to form and join unions without government intervention. "Unions have strong collective bargaining rights and, if conflicts arise, they can litigate or use collective action. Sweden is one of the wealthiest counties in the world, it is one of the most equal and it is one of the most efficient," he said. Deputy Tóibin said it was important for employers not to see union recognition rights as a threat. "It is possible for workers to enjoy their just entitlements and for small Irish businesses to function successfully. I have called the head offices of this firm in the last week and I hope to make a representation directly to management of this firm on behalf of the workers in the following week," the Sinn Fein TD said.