Pay Inequality: where it comes from and what to do about it

“The exploitation of man by man, someone once said, is theft” (Pierre-Joseph Proudhon) The global Occupy movement has struck a cord with the 99% and the ruling class is worried. Rightly so, given that the neo-liberal agenda that has allowed the few to become obscenely rich at the expense of the rest has come under […]

Disappointing turnout for DCTU anti-cuts demonstration

In the region of 2,500 people took part in Saturday’s Dublin Council of Trade Unions demonstration in Dublin. Although this made it the biggest anti-austerity demonstration in the city since the massive ICTU demonstration of last year the small number attending was a wake up call for anyone on the left or in the unions […]

Syndicalism, Marxist Myth and Anarchist Reality

“In drawing up theses for the international workers’ movement we must not begin with theoretical, preconceived assumptions… If we forsake the empirical road and take one that is doctrinaire, we cannot create an International of struggle.” Augustin Souchy at the Second Congress of the Communist International[1]

Shell compound at Aughoose shut down during day of solidarity

About 40 Shell to Sea campaigners blocked the Aughoose compound this morning (Nov 11) – all Shell employees were prevented from entering compound between 7.30 and 9.30. The road was kept open to local traffic by the campaign. There was no Garda presence. Just after 10 Shell to Sea activists started setting up an Occupy […]

Thousands of students demonstrate in Dublin against Education cuts but USI attack their own members

Over twenty thousand students demonstrated in Dublin today against the introduction of student fees and the cutting of student grants. The main demonstration organised by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI)also included a Free Education for Everyone All (FEE) bloc comprised of rank & file students in disagreement with the passive lobbying tactics of the […]

Occupy – the assembly process is the revolution

As we prepare to enter the 3rd month of the Occupy movement a commonly heard criticism targets both the lack of clear demands and the related complex and often drawn out decision making processes being used at Occupy General Assemblies. These criticisms however miss the point, against the traditional left with its package of pre-set […]

Resistance pays off in Greece as bond holders burnt

Months of intense resistance by ordinary people in Greece appear to have resulted in a partial victory. The EU crisis summit conceded that bond holders be forced to shoulder 50% of their losses. This did not come easy, Greek workers have staged several general strikes and Athens has seen day after day of large scale […]