Refuse workers: 8 weeks on strike

A strike by 40 workers employed by Mr Binman, a waste collection company, in Carrick-on-Suiris entering its eighth week.

The strike began in May over wage cuts of up to 40%, as well as attacks on working conditions and the refual of the company to recognise the workers union SIPTU.

Mr Binman is owned by 69 year old Martin Sheehan. Sheehan made his fortune in the building boom with his machine contracting business and building land reclamation across Munster and the south east.

He entered the waste disposal industry in the 1990s when Limerick City contracted out their waste collection service.

Sheehan has spent €100 million over the last 10 years buying out rivals and is soon to become the second largest waste operator in the country.

His latest project is a €30 million development of his new 18 acre facility at Toynes Port on the Shannon. The attacks on his already low paid workers’ wages and conditions is to pay fo these projects.

Sheehan recently statement that he “employs non-nationals to keep mannes on the Paddies” exposes a ruthless exploitation and use of racism.

Both Irish and ‘non-national’ workers have joined the union and are standing side by sid on the picket line.

The Waterford branch of the UNITE union has donated €4000 to the strike fund. Tommy Hogan, president of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions said the WCTU will work with the Limerick Trades Council to picket the Mr Binman headquarters in Limerick.

Many companies are using the crisis as an excuse to attack workers wages and conditions, but the electricians have shown we can resist them.

A rally in Carrick-on-Suir last week mobilised public support for the strike. There will be another protest in Waterford on the 18th July at 3pm.

Donations and messages of support to: Mr Binman strike fund, c/o Davy Lane, SIPTU, Connolly Hall, Summerhill, Waterford.