SIPTU Decision On Water Campaign Welcomed

Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has welcomed the decision by the SIPTU National Executive to  weigh in and work with those in the Right2Water campaign.

Crowe a member of SIPTU said the SIPTU National Executive’s decision reflected widespread support within the union and was a positive boost for those who were involved in the campaign to abolish water charges and stop the privatisation of Irish water. He is also asking that as many people as possible take part in the anti-water charge mass mobilisation on the 10th of December.

Deputy Seán Crowe said;

“This announcement from SIPTU is a really positive development that will now add further weight of numbers to those of us working in the Right2Water campaign.

“It is essential that the growing campaign against water charges is as broad and as inclusive as possible and needs to include unions like SIPTU.

“SIPTU’s National Executive has clearly seen that the Government’s belated announcement this week is not a progressive step for citizens and their future access to water services in Ireland.

“A lot of us in the campaign are now hoping that SIPTU will actively work towards mobilising its huge membership in the build up to the Right2Water rally on December 10th

“Water charges are a double tax and need to be abolished.

“There is also a growing awareness that there needs to be a constitutional provision guarding against the privatisation of our water supply. My party Sinn Féin put forward our suggested wording to change the Constitution to prevent the privatisation of Irish water but unfortunately this Government in its wisdom decided to vote against the proposal

“The core message of the Right2Water campaign is that water is a fundamental human need and a basic human right, and the campaign is seeking the reversal of domestic water charges.

“Dublin South West Sinn Féin will meet at Heuston station at 1:30pm and march to the Dail

“Participants are all being asked to wear blue.

“I am calling on everybody to do what they can to make the demonstration on December 10th the most colourful, peaceful and powerful expression of the public’s widespread opposition to these unjust water charges.”