Rally planned as Westport strike escalates

NO RESOLUTION Staff have been on strike at the Tim Hastings Garage in Westport since early February. Pic: Michael McLaughlin

Edwin McGreal

With the strike at Tim Hastings garage continuing into its fourth week, a support rally is due to take place in Westport next week.
Workers have picketed the Volkswagen garage and showrooms at Sheeaune, Westport since Friday, February 3 in a dispute over redundancies.
The SIPTU workers are planning to stage a rally on Saturday, March 4 next. Entitled ‘Justice for the Tim Hastings Volkswagen garage workers’, the march will commence from the NCT Centre on the Lodge Road, Westport and march into Westport town centre, finishing at The Octagon at 2pm.
SIPTU also handed out leaflets in Dublin on Sunday, where Westport were playing in the All-Ireland Intermediate club football final, as the strike escalates.
“Our members began their strike action on Friday, February 3 and will maintain the work stoppage until management agree to implement the full terms of a Labour Court recommendation concerning three of their colleagues who were made redundant last year. No redundancy payments, either statutory or ex-gratia, have been paid to the workers who lost their jobs,” said SIPTU Sector Organiser Teresa Hannick.
In a statement before the strike commenced, management at Tim Hastings referred to the strike plans as ‘completely unwarranted’ and ‘would only serve to jeopardise the livelihoods of staff employed by the company including SIPTU members’.
SIPTU Organiser Ashling Dunne praised the support striking workers have received.
“Since the strike began we have been overwhelmed with the level of support from the local community. People have regularly delivered refreshments and food to the picket line or signaled their support as they drive past,” she said.