The owners of Tyrone Crystal must be challenged to open the books to allow workers to inspect where the profits have gone. The defence of jobs must come first, not profits.
The jobs could be saved at Tyrone Crystal if there was the political will to do so by the parties in the Executive. It would cheaper to bring Tyrone Crystal into public ownership thereby protecting jobs, the workforces skills-base and the wider local economy, than to stand back and simply allow unemployment to rise.
The factory could be run far more efficiently by bringing the workforce to the heart of the management and democratically-run alongside public representatives, re-investing profits back into developing the business.
It is an injustice to bail out those who are responsible for the economic crisis to the tune of billions, while workers pay with job losses. A socialist opposition is needed which stands up for the rights of ordinary people.
Sean Carrothers was the third young person from West Belfast in a number of days to take his own life in the Colins area that has seen over 10 suicides in recent months. His father, Geard Mc Laughlin spoke out on why young people are becoming victims of suicide. He said it was because of the “hopeless” situation brought about by the recession.
Protest - 5.30pm Thursday 15th October, BBC Broadcasting House, Ormeau Ave, Belfast
Following approaches from friends and family of Mr Brendan Lillis, a prisoner in Maghaberry prison, who is close to death, Socialist Party MEP for Dublin, Paul Murphy, is appealing to Northern Ireland Justice Minister, Mr David Ford, to intervene with a view to allowing Mr Lillis to spend his last weeks at home on humanitarian grounds.
Thousands demand dissolution as political crisis deepens