Mandate support Dublin demonstration against austerity measures

Monday 12 December 2011

Thousands took part in a protest against austerity measures of Budget 2012 on Saturday, 26th November. The rally organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions was backed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Mandate, SIPTU and UNITE but also saw the wider public come out to support the demonstration for jobs and growth in Dublin.

Mandate General Secretary John Douglas said: “The demonstration was called to make clear to the government in the run up to Budget 2012 that austerity policies have only increased hardship on ordinary people. This approach has simply not worked and increased the numbers of people out of work.”

“The clear alternative is a State backed investment programme to stimulate jobs and growth. This demonstration, organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions, was aimed at giving workers, whether they are in employment or not, an opportunity to demand that the interests of the people are put before financial corporations.”

“We need a budget for jobs and growth and that puts the citizen first.”