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6 May 1999 Edition

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Back issue: Confrontation not `understanding'

In Dublin, at least 50,000 workers marched from Parnell Square to Leinster House, where they handed in a letter of protest against Free State tax policy. They then marched back to the GPO to listen to speeches from prominent trade unionists. This May Day march was not just a demonstration against Leinster House policy on PAYE, but also against the so-called ``National Understanding'' and in solidarity with workers around the world.

The march was led by the Irish Transport and General Workers Union Band, closely followed by the banners of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions and the District Council of the ITGWU. The vast majority of the marchers were from the non-clerical unions, the white-collar unions having followed the line of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and boycotted the strike and march.

This march was a triumph for the Dublin Council of Trade Unions and the workers on the streets, because from the time they had planned this demonstration, they had to face opposition from Leinster House, the ICTU, and the ITGWU.

An Phoblacht, 5 May, 1979




An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland