A colourful commemoration at the statue of Jim Larkin in O’Connell Street is being planned by SIPTU’s Fair Deal for Cleaners Campaign for mid-day on Monday 17th June next. The event is in honour of International Justice for Cleaners Day and will involve singers from the 6th class of the Central Model School, Dublin 1, a spectacular visual display around the statue, and speeches from SIPTU activists from the Cleaning sector and Labour Historian Francis Devine. For the duration of the event a number of participants will also be distributing silk roses to members of the public. International Justice Day for Cleaners is celebrated by trade unions throughout the world and commemorates Cleaners who were beaten off the streets by police in Los Angeles on 15th June 1990 when they were protesting for the right of union recognition, the same right working people in Ireland came fought for 100 years ago during the Dublin Lockout. SIPTU Sector Organiser Orlagh Fawl described the event as “a commemoration of legacy and hope for our members in the Contract Cleaning industry. Our union has a proud history stretching back to the 1913 Lockout. We will be recognising that legacy as well as issuing a message of defiance and solidarity with regard to the current challenges facing our members. It will be a colourful, positive message of communities and working people uniting together to defend decent jobs and standards. This event will mark a new phase in SIPTU’s Fair Deal for Cleaners union’s campaign to protect pay and conditions throughout the Contract Cleaning sector.”
Commemoration in Dublin to mark International Justice Day for Cleaners
