Congress calls major demonstration for Saturday, 27th November

Congress calls major demonstration for Saturday, 27th NovemberDate Released: 04 Nov 2010

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is to hold a major national demonstration on Saturday, 27th November in Dublin.

The national mobilisation and demonstration has been called in support of Congress proposals on alternative ways to tackle the economic crisis, which include a focus on job creation, investment and growth.

The decision to hold the 27th November demonstration was taken at a recent meeting of the Congress Executive Council. Congress General Secretary David Begg has written to all affiliates encouraging their fullest support and participation.

David Begg said the scale of the cuts proposed for Budget 2011 were devastating and clear evidence that the Government plan is not working.

“We have had three austerity budgets to date and we are now in a worse position than when the process started. The definition of stupidity is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome. Three deflationary budgets and the result is a higher deficit and more people out of work.

“The figures being talked about for Budget 2011 could truly devastate what is left of the functioning domestic economy. These cuts will throw people out of work.

Congress believes there is a better, fairer way to do this and we outlined a number of key proposals in our pre-budget submission yesterday. Simply put we need to extend the period of adjustment and focus on jobs and growth. People who want to make their voices heard should come out in force on Saturday, November 27. We cannot afford to wait, because it will be too late to protest on 8th December,” David Begg said.

David Begg said Congress would be making contact with a number of other civil society bodies in order to ensure the November 27 demonstration reflected the real concerns across all of Irish society.