Unite the Union expresses  concerns for its members’ safety

October 6th: The action this evening by striking workers, who have been locked of their workplace for seven weeks, to occupy a tower crane on the JJ Rhatigan company’s Kishoge site in Lucan reflects the growing anger and frustration at the company’s refusal to engage, and their ongoing campaign of provocation which has included criminal damage to the workers’ property.

Unite Regional Officer Tom Fitzgerald said that the union’s foremost concern this evening is for the safety of its members, and he urged the company to exercise restraint.

“While Unite did not sanction this move we fully understand the anger that lead to it.

“Events this evening reflect growing anger and frustration at the company’s ongoing campaign of provocation, which has included criminal damage to the workers’ property, as well as their refusal to engage.

“This whole episode has its roots in the company allowing workers on a Government-funded project to be paid less than €5 per hour.

“The most important thing this evening is to ensure the safety of our members, and I would ask local JJ Rhatigan management to refrain from any further provocation”, Tom Fitzgerald concluded.