Scaffolders strike in fifth week
``If we're beaten everyone is beaten.'' This was the message from
Andrew McGuinness, chairperson of the Dublin Scaffolders' Society.
The unofficial scaffolders' dispute is now entering its fifth week as
building contractors close more and more sites.
This week, building was halted on the International Financial
Services Centre in Dublin. It was the largest building site in the
city. The scaffolders are determined to carry on their dispute even
though they are without strike pay and the strike is costing their
members dearly. Some have been threatened with eviction because they
have not the money to pay rent.
Despite claims in the media that the strike is to be resolved, Andrew
McGuinness told An Phoblacht that no offer has been made to them. The
reported interim payment of a wage increase of 65p an hour is way
below the scaffolders' demands.
As An Phoblacht goes to print, the scaffolding contractors are
meeting to consider the dispute. The resolve of the strikers is for
now undiminished.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)