https://www.onebigunion.ie/post/reinstate-tesco-worker-now

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IWW Ireland || It was back in 1984, when eleven Dunnes Stores workers refused to handle goods from apartheid South Africa and went on strike. As a result of this action, they spent 3 years on the picket line in Henry Street, Dublin, receiving just £21 per week, however their solidarity action finally forced the Irish government to boycott apartheid. Through their actions, these workers, with the support of the people Ireland led the way in assisting the international call to the end apartheid regime.

Just last year, we marked the 40th anniversary of this historic anti-apartheid strike by a group of young workers at Dunnes Stores. In the shadow of that occasion, workers throughout the world were making the connection with their actions, with the ongoing boycott campaign of Israeli products amidst the genocide and occupation of Palestine by the Zionist Israeli regime.

Over the past year workers across the world, from Australia to Italy, from Berlin to Belfast have picketed shops and protested on the streets in their thousands. The have taken direct action against the unfolding genocide on the people of Palestine blockading ports and factory gates to stop arms shipments and the sale of Israeli products. Throughout history, workers have repeatedly stepped forward to raised their voice or to use the power of their labour against injustice and exploitation.

The Industrial Workers of the World have and continue to actively oppose the ongoing occupation and genocide of the Palestinian people by taking part in solidarity actions from strikes, pickets, occupations and boycotts and have supported others in solidarity.

Over the last week, in Newcastle County Down, a fellow worker has been suspended from work for taking direct action by refusing to handle Israeli goods at a Tesco Store. They are currently suspended and waiting a disciplinary procedure in the coming weeks, for an act of solidarity similar to that of the Dunnes Stores strike in opposing the apartheid regime.

In a statement issued by the Mournes For Palestine a representative said: “Israel’s genocide in Palestine continues, with very conservative estimates putting the total dead at over 57,000, though the actual figure is likely to be far higher. International organisations such as the United Nations, Amnesty International, Jewish Voice for Peace, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Human Rights Watch and Christian Aid, among many others, have named Israel’s actions against Palestine a genocide.

“Mourne for Palestine calls on the management of Tesco to withdraw the disciplinary action aimed at the Tesco Newcastle worker for declining to handle these blood-stained products. To be forced to take money for goods funding genocide, which is in part by starvation, under the threat of disciplinary action, is unconscionable. This pressure would affect the mental health and wellbeing of any moral-minded person. All retail workers have the right to decline to handle these tainted items.”

A spokesperson for the IWW Ireland said that “We extend our solidarity to our fellow worker at this time for a very meaningful and courageous act of solidarity with workers in Palestine. We echo the calls for an end to the targeting of our member and demand their immediate reinstatement as a respected member of staff. Likewise we call upon Tesco Ltd. to bring an end to their sale and distribution of Israeli goods at their stores, which undoubtedly has an impact upon workers.

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“The trade union movement must act now to extend its full support and solidarity for this fellow worker and endorse calls that they are immediately reinstated back to their post without restrictions or ramifications.”

A protest has now been organised outside Tesco Newcastle at Castlewellan Road, Newcastle, BT33 0GW on Sunday 23rd November at 2pm. We call upon all trade union, social and community to attend to show your support for our fellow worker at this time. To demand the reinstatement of our fellow worker, without any restrictive conditions and an immediate end Israeli products from Tesco Stores.