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Thomas Cook occupied by workers

category dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | news report author Friday July 31, 2009 16:05author by Darren C Report this post to the editors

TSSA members in occupation!

At 10.00am management from Thomas Cook arrived at shops in Dublin to enforce closure. Members refused and are now occupying the shops. The context to this dispute is a company that seeks to consolidate and increase profits through the closure of more than 100 shops, the closures in Dublin fly in the face of these shops making more than £400 million profit during 2008.

TSSA members need your support, we need messages of support flooding into to these members:

Hand write a message and run it through the fax: fax number: 00 35316 771258 and 00 35318 783965
Send emails to wendy@thomascook.ie and fennj@tssa.org.uk
Join the face book group at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...8623383&ref=mf
Sign the online petition http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/s...jobsinireland/
Most importantly please raise awareness; please forward, please take and discuss at your branches, trades council, divisional councils, regional councils – and send a big message that the movement is behind them.

in solidarity,

Jon Clark

National Education Officer
TSSA
Mobile: 07717366415
Office: 020 73872101 ext: 8016
Fax: 020 7383 0656
Helpline: 0800 3282673
Website: www.tssa.org.uk

author by Relict Almastypublication date Wed Aug 05, 2009 21:06author address author phone Report this post to the editors

William Martin Murphy (1844-1919) was born in the year that Thomas Cook (22 November 1808 – 18 July 1892) began his temperance hymn singing tours. Even though both their legacies and little empires survive in the form of the "irish Independent" newspaper and the "travellers' cheque", it is a bit of hyperbole to compare what has occured these last days with the Dublin sit-in protesters, Gardai, purging of contempt etc. with the lock-outs of 1913 as Fred Johnston would have us do.

How many babies were born prematurely in the 1913 lockout?
Were their quantity higher and more substantial and more worthy of note, epigram, record and memorial than those children who were born and died in infancy in 1913?

know your history.

work your history.

strive to put your paltry achievements in context.

question your prosperity and harmony.

your struggle now in Ireland may be bad & shite but it is nothing like what your ancestors faced.


leaving aside the thorny hypothesis that your ancestors were nought more than free-range foodstuff for the recently arrived better looking and vastly superior in the cranial volume thingy homo sapiens sapiens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin_Lockout_of_1913
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Martin_Murphy

of course everyone recognises the bad auld bastard William Martin Murphy's portrait, no?
of course everyone recognises the bad auld bastard William Martin Murphy's portrait, no?

author by ROBERT BROWNEpublication date Wed Aug 05, 2009 03:11author email robertbrowne25 at yahoo dot comauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

One rule for the bankers, developers, politicians and another for Thomas Cooke workers. The country is unofficially bankrupt and yet numerous Garda on over time can turn up at 5 in the morning to tackle a few brave women. When was the last time you were woken up at 5am. to the sound of Gardai raiding drug dealers homes. Immigrant traffickers or the Real IRA. Not a pip squeak! But then a massive show of force when some nutty judge goes OTT and orders the arrest of these dangerous militants who if they could get away with it would bring the country to "anarchy"! With NAMA and every dangerous banker and property developer still walking the streets I thought we already had anarchy. But no, that only threatens if a bunch of workers decide that they are going to occupy their place of work until they are treated with respect and not as some garbage to be disposed of at will! We need to stop our new rulers who have turned out to be worse than the british that ever occupied this country!

author by Fred Johnstonpublication date Wed Aug 05, 2009 00:40author address author phone Report this post to the editors

William Martin Murphy is alive and well and living in Dublin - again!

author by tbacpublication date Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:37author address author phone Report this post to the editors

"It is totally disgraceful that the courts and gardaí jump to the tune of the likes of Thomas Cook and other employers and property owners. Solidarity to the workers and their families and all those supporting them."

It's always been the way, it's now though with the events in rossport, the events with Thomas Cookand and in times of increased social struggle that we begin to see the real role of the Gardai; protecting the bosses, the state and capital.

author by John Jefferies - Workers Party, Corkpublication date Tue Aug 04, 2009 09:03author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It is totally disgraceful that the courts and gardaí jump to the tune of the likes of Thomas Cook and other employers and property owners. Solidarity to the workers and their families and all those supporting them.

author by Dunkpublication date Tue Aug 04, 2009 08:27author address author phone Report this post to the editors

RTE - Gardái arrest sit-in Thomas Cook workers
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0804/thomascook.html

Irish Times - Thomas Cook workers removed from Dublin office
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0804/...1.htm

Gardaí arrest protesting Thomas Cook workers
http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/gardai-arrest-protesting....html

author by Kaiser Sosepublication date Tue Aug 04, 2009 08:15author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It's a disgrace that the Gardaí forcable put people on the Dole. All workers should show their disgust at this attack on Workers' Rights. Any news on the pregnant woman? I heard that she's gone into labour? Any developments on that? SP and SWP did good work over the past days. I heard Cllr Matt Waine and Cllr Richard Boyd-Barret were lifted with the workers.

author by Michael Gallagherpublication date Tue Aug 04, 2009 07:53author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Just heard, Gardai showed up at 5am with security guards and a locksmith and arrested all occupants of the building. Security guards and a garda presence at the building now. A window was smashed and all the workers were taken in away in garda vans.

Security guards and a garda presence at the building now.

author by Kevin Higginspublication date Tue Aug 04, 2009 01:23author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I'd like to strongly register my support for the Thomas Cook workers. I'm based in Galway. Anything that can be done to support them from this side? My e-mail is kphiggins@hotmail.com

author by Darren Cpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 21:54author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Workers occupying the Thomas Cook shop in Dublin today defied a High Court order, requested by the Company, to vacate the shop. They have now been told that the police will arrive and arrest anyone who is still in the shop. They will have to appear in court and be given a prison sentance.

After an emotional discussion when solicitors told the mainly female workers, two of whom are pregnant, the workers decided that they would remain in the shop and not be bullied by Thomas Cook.

A rally was held this morning with supporters ranging from the Lord Mayor to striking Dublin dockers.

We are now asking people to come to Grafton Street when they can to protect the workers inside in case the police turn up.

We will be holding another rally at 10am outside the shop. It is vital we have as many people as we can- please spread the word.

We are headline news and need to keep up the momentum!

Also, please phone in any talk radio shows to tell them that Thomas Cook are behaving dispicably by threatening to jail innocent workers.

Adrian Kennedy's Talk Show is on (0044) 1 67 97 104

Our contact is (0044) 7894 587 845

Thanks

author by .publication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 21:23author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Judges orders their arrest and to be brought before courts at 2pm, Tuesday August 4th.

author by Michael Gallagherpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 21:05author email libertypics at yahoo dot ieauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

.

tc_5_img_3886.jpg

author by Michael Gallagherpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 20:54author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The staff have until 11am tomorrow (Tuesday) to vacate the premises, but there is a danger that Thomas Cook will employ private security to try and take control of the building, it's vital that there is an all night vigil inside and outside the premises.

The decision to stay in the premises was unaninmous by the staff after the union official (Gerry Doherty) gave the bad news from the courts

Your support is needed.

Text messages of support and solidarity can be sent to: 087 9481972

All pics © Michael Gallagher 2009

Dublin were hammered, but not these workers
Dublin were hammered, but not these workers

tc_2_img_3762.jpg

Gerry Doherty (left) rushing back to court with solicitor.
Gerry Doherty (left) rushing back to court with solicitor.

tc_3_img_3788.jpg

tc_4img_3849.jpg

author by dave lordanpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 20:16author address author phone Report this post to the editors

the workers have voted unanimously to continue the occupation and defy the high court.

author by Darren Cpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 18:32author address author phone Report this post to the editors

RTE has just announced that the Workers must vacate the premises by 7pm.

Anyone in the area is asked to come down and protect the strike.

Link - http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0803/thomascook.html

author by Michael Gallagherpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 14:07author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Newspaper article pic above © Irish Daily Mail

Socialist Party Councillor, Ruth Coppinger
Socialist Party Councillor, Ruth Coppinger

Thomas Cook Grafton Street branch union rep, Antoinette Shevlin
Thomas Cook Grafton Street branch union rep, Antoinette Shevlin

5_g_tc_img_3724.jpg

7._g_tc_img_3685.jpg

author by Michael Gallagherpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 13:50author address author phone Report this post to the editors

.

1._g_tc_img_3577.jpg

3._g_tc_img_3585.jpg

1.g_tc_img_3572.jpg

TSSA union oficial, Gerry Doherty
TSSA union oficial, Gerry Doherty

Ray O'Reilly, Independent Workers Union
Ray O'Reilly, Independent Workers Union

author by Michael Gallagher - Photographerpublication date Mon Aug 03, 2009 09:19author email libertypics at yahoo dot ieauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

.

1.tc._img_3565.jpg

2._tc_img_3566.jpg

3._tc._img_3562.jpg

In High Spirits Last Night
In High Spirits Last Night

Pics ©  2009 Michael Gallagher
Pics © 2009 Michael Gallagher

author by Richard Whelanpublication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 23:28author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Thomas cook Photo essay
Images copy right 2009

dsc_0085.jpg

dsc_0086.jpg

dsc_0092.jpg

dsc_0095.jpg

dsc_0112.jpg

author by Kev - Variouspublication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 22:14author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Incidentally, here's the leaflet being talked about.

The leaflet
The leaflet

Related Link: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethomascookjobsinireland/
author by Kev - Variouspublication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 22:12author address author phone Report this post to the editors

More pics

SWP stall and petition outside
SWP stall and petition outside

Cops and court officers arrive
Cops and court officers arrive

Cops and court officers arrive
Cops and court officers arrive

They can't gain entry, so they postteh summons on the window
They can't gain entry, so they postteh summons on the window

The workers stay on inside undaunted
The workers stay on inside undaunted

author by Kev - Variouspublication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 22:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I stayed around for about two hours (1.30 - 3.30). Comrades from the SWP had a stall and petition, and were handing out leaflets all afternoon. During the break in their conference, comrades from Socialist Youth came along to show their support as well.

Just before I left, the cops along with some court officers arrived to serve summons on the strikers. They posted the summons on the outside window.

This is a Lock In
This is a Lock In

Fair Redundancy for Job Losses
Fair Redundancy for Job Losses

Leafleting outside
Leafleting outside

SY show support
SY show support

SY & SWP show support
SY & SWP show support

Related Link: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117888623383&ref=mf
author by Darren C - L5I (pc)publication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 17:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

I just want to clarify that I'm not one of the workers involved in the dispute. I'm not even based in Dublin at the moment. The emails from the TSSA are being forwarded to me and I'm posting them on this Indymedia and other forums.

I agree 100% with Mick that the TSSA slogan 'Let's put Irish jobs before British millionaires' is shortsighted and wrong. There are no nationalist solutions to this present dispute. Instead we should advance an internationalist policy of uniting with Thomas Cook employees across Britain and Ireland to fight against branch closures and job-losses. Irish bosses are no better than their British counterparts. We need to point to the economic system - capitalism - that is plunging workers into poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

Victory to the occupation!

author by formalpublication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 17:21author address author phone Report this post to the editors

-

Occupy
Occupy

author by mick burkepublication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 16:46author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The very best wishes to Darren and all the other workers. Numerically this is only a small action , but as a response to the present employers' offensive , it could point the way forward and act as a rallying point for other sections coming into struggle . There is a danger though that the TSSA leadership could use the support as a way of settling the dispute with just a higher payout for sacked workers . If that were to happen it could have an opposite ,demoralizing effect on the broader movement.

I picked up a leaflet outside the Grafton St shop today that carried the slogan ,"Let's put Irish jobs before British millionaires" . That sort of nationalist appeal is wrong . It doesn't matter if the millionaire involved is British or Irish . The jobs are not Irish jobs either , they are just jobs . The leaflet was produced by TSSA , but the left political groups involved in the support for the occupation should be insisting on slogans that point to the international nature of the present economic crisis , and they should call for a response based on internationalism .

mick

author by Darren C - L5I (pc)publication date Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:35author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Support has been massive today! a day that defined our future activity.

At eleven-o'clock staff at a second travel agent in Dublin began an accupation in support and solidarity. At the same time TSSA memebrs at Grafton street (the original store of the occupation) were threatened with high court action to evict us.

Your support is not just helpuful it is absolutly necessary to maintain and build this activity.

We are calling on everyone to:
(1) forward and encourage membership of this group,
(2) JOIN A DIALY PROTEST AT 10.30 - 12.00 GRAFTON STREET DUBLIN,STARTING ON MONDAY
(3) NOTIFY OTHERS OF THE PROTEST, AND GET THEM ALONG,
(4) Raise funds for the welafre fund.

At times we feel alone here. But when we get messages of support, we know we can keep going.

Many thanks,
TSSA/Thomas Cook occupation organising committee.

author by SerfsUppublication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 23:34author address author phone Report this post to the editors

It's becoming clear that companies are exploiting the current climate of fear and economic rhetoric to implement business moves they wouldn't normally get away with in the name of increasing already reasonable profits. Many Travel companies have largely moved their businesses on to the internet and TV and were just itching to cut jobs in meatspace.
There is no such thing as "enough profit" or "what is best for the community" with capitalism. Why are people acting so surprised when it does exactly what it is set up to do. If people want something different then they need to engage their brains and vote for a real change next time they have the opportunity.

Between this kind of thing, resource giveaways and the supermarket chains squeezing out indigenous food production, we have a desolate future ahead as an island of cheap labour under IMF dictates, without the previous safety valve of mass emigration.

We need to do some hard thinking. And for starters We should begin spurning the majors and setting up cooperative supermarkets buying mostly local produce at reasonable margins as found in canada.

The bank bailout money could have been diverted to funding concrete local projects like this but instead these traitors to Ireland put another huge nail in the economic future of the next generation.

author by Cillian Gillespie - Socialist Partypublication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 21:38author address author phone Report this post to the editors

- Condemns profitable company throwing workers onto Dole
“Thomas Cook’s decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

“However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company. I urge all working people to show their support.

“One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook’s CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice.

“Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers’ livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers’ occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.”

Related Link: http://www.socialistparty.net
author by Darren C - L5I (pc)publication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 20:09author address author phone Report this post to the editors

You can text your support to those inside the occupation at 087 9481 972

author by kevin - swp.iepublication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 18:18author email info at swp dot ieauthor address author phone (01) 872 2682Report this post to the editors

More power to the Thomas Cook workers.
More reportage, interview, video, etc at http://www.swp.ie

Related Link: http://www.swp.ie
author by Darren C - L5I (pc)publication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 16:29author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Officers of the High Court arrived within the last hour and served notice of trespass on the staff and the TSSA at the Grafton Street shop in Dublin. They were told in no uncertain terms that they weren't welcome and that there were children and pregnant women in the shop. They soon left when the children themselves went to the shop front window. We need to keep a presence outside the shop this evening. If anyone knows anyone who would be willing to come and show their support, please ask them to do so. Musicians especially welcome!! If we can get more people to join this group so we can keep them updated that would also be grand, as they say here in Ireland!

In solidarity.

Dublin Thomas Cook shop workers.

author by Cllr.Gino Kenny - SWPpublication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 13:07author email ginokenny at hotmail dot comauthor address 7211574author phone 085Report this post to the editors

Well done to all involved, hopefully it will put some manners on the Employers Class in Dublin.!

author by james o'toole - SWPpublication date Sat Aug 01, 2009 07:05author address author phone Report this post to the editors

how to deal with your boss...
short report from inside and the street outside thomas cooks yesterday when the staff ejected the managers!
The Thomas Cook offices at grafton st dublin are now under worker's control. Workers occupoed the building after management , who had flown in specially from the UK, announced the closure of the shops on north earl street and grafton st Dublin. The staff at the north earl st shop were told to close the store for an hour and to accompany managers to the grafton st store, they went upstairs and started laying out chairs to line the workers up and dismiss them. One of the workers who sensed what was coming shouted 'Lock In!' and, like electricity, word shot up through the other floors of the building.
The workers took the upper floors leaving management downstairs in the shop. Socialist Worker members arrived and, after speaking to a shop steward inside, we started distributing the worker's flyer about the dispute outside the shop to the public. We started chanting along with the workers who shouted along from the upper story windows 'I dont know what i been told..thomas cook aint got no soul!'. The response from the passers by was amazing, 'this is what this country needs',' they're right fair play to them'. Bin lorry drivers, Buses and Taxis continually beeped their horns and stopped to get more information.
A press photographer arrived and the workers assembled in the shop with management beside them looking uneasy, one of the pregnant workers was having her photo taken when the press officer for thomas cook management tried to block the shot, one of the union members threw the press officer out of the shop, soon to be followed by the other managers, who left in tears. They had never had to deal with workers fighting back.They expected submission. The workers and supporters outside began shouting, 'the workers united will never be defeated!'.
The very people who earlier that day had gathered the workers to dismiss them were left weeping into mobile phones and quietly asking could they have their bags back.

Go down and cheer the workers on today!

Caption: Video Id: Dr3YoddMVak Type: Youtube Video
interview with the workers inside


Related Link: http://www.swp.ie
author by Darren Cpublication date Fri Jul 31, 2009 17:00author address author phone Report this post to the editors

The Thomas Cook occupation is taking place on Grafton St. The corrected links are:
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=545605804&ref=na...ef=mf
petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethomascookjobsin...land/

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