Mandate member slams austerity at People’s Assembly
Friday 27 September 2013Mandate Trade Union member Sandra Stapleton gave a rousing speech at the recent ‘People’s Assembly’ protest outside Leinster House. Ms Stapleton criticised the political system and government parties and called for all members of society to come together and demand a better and fairer Ireland for all people.
Ms Stapleton was employed in the Irish retail sector for eleven years working for a prominent retailer but is now an unemployed member of Mandate Trade Union.
She told the protesters that during the past four years about 50,000 retail workers have lost their jobs.
“Thats 50,000 families from one sector of the economy in this country who have lost at least one person who was providing for them. That means less money to heat their homes, less money to buy decent healthy food for their families and it also means less money to be able to participate in this society. That’s not to mention the thousands of other retail workers who have had their pay reduced and are also struggling to get by.”
Ms Stapleton explained why she believes people are losing jobs and their income.
“Because our political leaders insist on cutting public sector pay. They insist on introducing taxes, like the property tax and water charges. Taxes that take money from the pockets of the very people who used to spend money in the shop I used to work in. If you keep taking money from ordinary worker’s pockets, then they can’t shop in their local restaurant, bar or supermarket.
“Then they act all surprised when the social welfare bill goes up because retail workers keep losing their jobs. So what do they do? They cut the social welfare rates and then even more people have less money to spend in the shops.”
Ms Stapleton illustrated her anger at politicians who tell workers they should pull on the green jersey and that we’re all in this together.
“Well how is it that the richest people in this country are actually getting richer? How is it that the poorest face social welfare cuts, reduced public services, cuts to carers grants? Why is it that workers have to work more hours if they can get them, just to make ends meet?”
“How do they not see that all these attacks on workers incomes is contributing to our unemployment crisis?
Ms Stapleton also told the gathered crowd about her frustrations at politicians who ignore the real political will of the people.
“Since this crisis began in 2008, I’ve been at every march thats taken place in Dublin. Together with my trade union Mandate I’ve argued against austerity and we’ve warned what would happen if our politicians continue to protect the wealthy who caused the crisis, at the expense of ordinary decent workers of this country.
“Yet here we are 5 years on saying ‘we told you so’. We still have chronic unemployment. Our suicide rates are continuing to increase as the economic crisis continues and the number of homeless continues to rise.
“And the people in the Dail and Seanad tell us that Ireland is on the mend and that the economy is growing again. They even have the cheek to tell me that the unemployment crisis is ending when half of the young people I know are living in Perth, Sydney,London or New York!”
Ms Stapleton asked what consequences a growing economy would have on the social fabric of Ireland if we continue down the same failed path of austerity.
“They may, and I emphasise may, get our economy growing eventually, but at what cost? How many ordinary workers will have been thrown on the scrapheap to improve our GDP ratio? How many families will have lost their homes to the banks that they’ve bailed out? How many children have lost their one chance for the best education they could possibly get – damaging their future prospects? And how many older people have died on hospital beds because they didn’t get the care they deserved or where entitled to?
“And all because our politicians decided to bail out bankers and protect the wealthy!” she added.
Ms Stapleton explained her attendance at the People’s Assembly.
“I am here today because I believe a better and fairer way is not only possible but it is also achievable. But it’s not going to happen on its own. We all need to come together as a strong collective and send an emphatic message to the people in Leinster House who were elected to represent us.
“We need the unemployed, the under employed and the trade unionists. We need the volunteers, the NGO’s and the local community groups. We need young people, older people and the middle aged. We need the men and the women of this country to stand up and say, enough is enough. This is our country and we’re taking it back,” she concluded.
The People’s Assembly will be continuing during the coming months and Mandate will keep you informed of any future events.
