New union formed

BY ROBBIE SMYTH

The Independent Workers' Union (IWU) held its first annual conference last weekend, with the ATGWU's Mick O'Reilly as the guest speaker. The IWU, which represents over 800 workers, mainly in the Cork area, will be led by National Secretary Noel Murphy.

The IWU will not be seeking membership of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and has pledged itself to be a union "where decision making by members is given primacy, where the assets of the Irish people are defended, where genuine democracy is practiced and where a fairer and more equitable way of running this country is advocated and promoted".

Speaking at the IWU launch, Murphy told delegates and visitors: "There is an illusion being created that 'partnership' is good for workers but when our young workers cannot afford to buy homes, and our members are being imprisoned for objecting to service charges while the rich and the famous duck and dodge paying their fair share, it is clear that workers' interests are not being served by this so-called 'partnership'."

Murphy said that as a union driven by its members, its task is to convince workers and members of the benefits of a new and militant but democratic trade unionism, fearlessly committed to advancing the cause.