In this issue:
Young workers’ protest against social welfare cuts at Dáil
SIPTU President says Budget 2014 requires much renovation
SIPTU Dublin bus drivers to vote on latest proposals next week
Permanent liquidator expected to be appointed to Andersen Ireland Ltd on Monday
SIPTU Home Helps meeting in Galway to discuss new contracts
Special Report
Jack O’Connor states that harsh budget will provoke private sector pay demands
Patricia King tells Conference that 'establishment' will resist collective bargaining
RMT leader Bob Crow addresses Conference
Irish Senior Citizens Parliament Protest
Sinn Féin Mansion House Event
Dublin Lockout – Impact and Objects
SIPTU welcomes Review of Joint Labour Committees
The 1913 Lockout Tapestry
Defending the Public University
DCU is a place of learning not just enterprise
Jack O'Connor calls for Social Solidarity to underpin the rebuilding of the Republic, One Hundred Years on
SIPTU members regret unavailability of some Dublin Fine Gael TDs to discuss budget proposals
Thirty-Seventh Countess Markievicz Memorial Lecture
Successful Fair Hotels Expo held in Liberty Hall
European Social Justice Award Goes to Irish Campaigners
100th Anniversary Wreath Laying Ceremony
End of an Era
Lockout Tapestry and trade union banners exhibition in Dublin
100th Anniversary of the Arrival of the SS Hare Food Ship in Dublin
The New Theatre presents 1913 LOCKOUT
Féile na Samhna
Budget unfairly hits young and old
Zero-hours Contracts
CityWide
The Risen People
TASC is recruiting!
Exhibition
Larkin Credit Union
Fair Hotels
SIPTU Membership Services
Fair Hotel
SIPTU Basic English Scheme
Supporting Quality
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Young workers’ protest against social welfare cuts at Dáil
By Cat Finn, Young Workers’ Network

Over 150 young people protested outside the Dáil on Wednesday (16th October) against a Budget proposal to cut social welfare payments for under 26 year olds. The Government proposes to reduce jobseekers payments for all new claimants aged between 22 and 24 from €144 to €100 from 1st January 2014. For those aged 25 the reduction will be from €188 to €144.

The SIPTU supported Young Workers’ Network has stated that the proposal is a cynical attack on young people, whose lack of mobilisation to date makes them an easy target for cuts. The protest called for all young people to organise and fight back while also stressing the importance of solidarity with all vulnerable groups targeted in the budget.

Speakers at the demonstration included Dan O’Neill from the Young Workers’ Network, Moira Murphy from the “We’re Not Leaving” campaign group, John Buckley from SpunOut, Dave Gibney from ICTU Youth as well as speakers from the Y Factor (a National Women’s Council of Ireland youth initiative) and USI.

The platform was also opened to young people attending the event to give their testimonials on the effect this cut would have on their ability to simply pay rent or buy food.

Members of the Communications Workers’ Union, MANDATE, the National Youth Council of Ireland and Labour Youth were also in attendance.

Young Workers’ Network spokesman, Dan O’Neill, 27, said: “This cut is part of a bigger scheme to force down the living conditions of all.  Forced emigration, unemployment, precarious work, internships, fee hikes, grant cuts, lack of affordable housing, and the mental health crisis - they are part of the one picture for young people in this country. Young people need to come together to organise and build a decent future in our own country.”

The Young Workers’ network will be hosting the “We’re not Leaving” Young People’s Assembly on the 9th of November in Liberty Hall. You can find out more about this event and the Young Workers Network at www.youngworkersnetwork.ie
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