Madam, – I am appalled by the way in which the Thomas Cook workers have been treated. They are positively heroic. I am so impressed by their bravery and resilience in the face of such ill-treatment by their employer, a multinational, and apparently a profitable one. I would hold this opinion, in any case, whether Thomas Cook is profitable or not.
I am shocked that the State’s legal system has been used in such a draconian way by Thomas Cook and that the State’s police force was deployed so swiftly to quell what was clearly a peaceful demonstration.
Is this an indication of things to come and how people working in Ireland will be treated as the recession deepens? For the record I am a member of a trade union (Siptu), but would think that most right-thinking citizens, whether trade union members or not, would be shocked by these events. – Yours, etc,
MARY MANGAN,
Kirwan Street,
Stoneybatter, Dublin 7.
Madam, – An iron fist for protesting Thomas Cook workers, but a velvet glove for the bankers and developers who delivered the country to the brink of ruin.
No more telling demonstration of the nature of power in this State has so far been put before us. – Yours, etc,
SEAN COLEMAN,
Haverty Road,
Marino, Dublin 3.
A chara, – The scenes on the morning of August 4th and reportage from the Thomas Cook travel shop in Grafton Street, Dublin are a stark reminder that sometimes things may look as if they have changed, but in reality they have not.
It was like looking back into the annals of history and in particular 1913 and the Lockout. These brave workers wanted something a little bit extra for their families and this State in all its finery give its answer.
Social solidarity was buried this Tuesday. – Is mise,
PÓL Ó DEORÁIN,
Siúlóid na Mainistreach,
Cluain Dolcáin,
Baile Átha Cliath.