HUMAN RIGHTS

HUMAN RIGHTS

We hear much of the charter on human rights if Lisbon is passed. Don’t be fooled by this one. These rights are very much subject to the interests of business being serviced first and many are already in place under national law. Article 28 does, it must be said, support the collective bargaining in the workplace and the right to strike. However this must be taken against the background of legislation giving the employers the right to conduct their own business without interference, including bringing in strike breakers, and also the individuals right to go to work unhindered even if there is a strike on. In other words the right of the individual to break a strike AND CROSS PICKET LINES takes precedence over the democratic will of the majority who would be on strike. Once again this puts the interests of the employer over and above those of the worker. Within the European Union there is great emphasis on competition, which would apply to public services if Lisbon is ratified, and “the market”, it is these negative aspects which the European courts generally find in favour of, as opposed to the progressive sounding support for collective bargaining and the right to strike for improved pay and conditions, which we all want and need. Workers rights to defend themselves, their families and colleagues, living standards and wages are very much diluted once a closer examination is applied. The Lisbon Treaty, if passed and ratified, will take precedence over the Irish Constitution, already arguably being mocked by virtue of the fact that we are having a second referendum on the same treaty already rejected, rendering the constitution virtually invalid and redundant. The charter on fundamental rights will remain an aspiration as opposed to a fait accompli. Don’t be fooled by this double talk VOTE NO TO LISBON AGAIN