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Statements by Our Candidates in the 2005 Elections

Colm Bryce

Foyle Meats workers must stand together

Thursday 14th April 2005

SEA candidate in the upcoming council elections, Colm Bryce has described the ongoing divisions between workers at Foyle Meats as "a direct result of the two-tier workforce which the use of 'gangmasters' produces."

"The employment agencies who brought the Polish workers to Derry will not like the term 'gangmaster', he said. "But, from the point of view of the workers, that is how these agencies operate. The workers have few rights and feel they have none. They are in a situation like workers 'bought' at hiring fairs used to be ­ dependent on their employer even for the roof over their heads.

"Management in companies who bring in workers through these agencies are happy to have a divided workforce. Unity is strength but a divided workforce is one where everyone earns less and has poorer working conditions. This is a fact that all the workers in Foyle Meats, whatever their religion or nationality, should remember.

"After decades of sectarianism in the workplace driving down wages across the North, we must not let rivalry between different nationalities add to the problem", said Mr. Bryce. "All workers benefit when we stand together. We all lose when the hate-mongers are allowed to divide us."





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