SIPTU Waterford District Council unanimously endorsed the union’s ‘Yes Equality’ campaign for marriage equality at a meeting in Connolly Hall, Waterford City, on Thursday, 12th March. The meeting heard presentations on the reasons why the union is calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Civil Marriage Equality Referendum from SIPTU activists who represent members in some of the city’s largest workplaces.SIPTU Equality Committee members, Jemma Mackey, a shop steward at Bausch and Lomb, and Bridget Burrows, a shop steward at Hasbro, both spoke about the need for workers and their families to vote ‘Yes’ to marriage equality on 22nd May.The meeting was attended by SIPTU representatives from private, public and community sector workplaces as well as retired members.SIPTU College tutor and ‘Yes Equality’ committee member, Margaret de Courcey, said: “All present at the meeting were keenly aware of the urgent task of getting people registered to vote and active in the SIPTU campaign. The union is fighting for a ‘Yes’ vote, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but also to ensure greater equality for the estimated 15,000 SIPTU members who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender.“What we are saying is we will not accept our colleagues being discriminated against and that everyone should have the right to marry who they chose”.De Courcey added: “The ‘Yes Equality’ campaign has been a major success so far with SIPTU members clearly showing their support for the union’s principled position What we need now is members, their families, friends and neighbours in Waterford to show their support for civil marriage and come out and vote ‘Yes’ on polling day.”
SIPTU Waterford District Council says ‘Yes’ to Equality
