17 February 2000 Edition

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Kehoe supports DAGCO workers

Four hundred general operatives from Dublin's building sites took to the streets on Wednesday, 16 February, to protest at low pay rates and inadequate pension and sick pay arrangements.

Dublin Sinn Féin councillor Nicky Kehoe accompanied the workers on their march from Liberty Hall to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) headquarters, the gates of which were locked to prevent the workers entering. The DAGCO workers also stopped at the McNamaras building site in Leinster House to show their support for the striking workers there.

£7.29 an hour is the official union rate for the basic work grade on Dublin sites. Many workers earn £6 an hour or less. The workers were also protesting about inadequate pension and sick pay schemes. A worker on sick pay will only receive a payment of £23 a day, hardly adequate to cover basic living costs.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland