Workers Solidarity Movement

Our "Women in Struggle" series continues this 15th March at Solidarity Books with a screening of "Soldier Girls (1981) " - Nick Broomfield (details of film below). Start time is 8pm. All welcome, donations appreciated. Soldier Girls (1981) "This is a 'direct cinema' documentary, slice of life, all shot fly-on-the-wall as it happens, without interviews or voice-overs.

We had a mad mardi gras, lots of banana pancakes. We're now officially in the season of Lent. We're not into giving 'bad' things up, but we are in favor of taking 'good' things on. If you feel like you need to participate then why not start to eat well and look after your community by coming along this Tuesday, from 7pm till 9pm, and join us in a home-made meal (sweets, teas and coffees too if you like) for only five euros (or whatever you can pay/swap/donate). The money collected will go to supporting the Campaign Against Household and Water Tax. 

In Cork the mobilisation for the National Day of Action against the Household and Water Tax saw a lively and noisy crowd of over 500 hundred march through the centre of Cork City.  At the rally beforehand members from some of the local areas involved in the Campaign in Cork took advantage of the open mic forum to explain why they opposed the tax.  Speakers from Farranree, Bishopstown and Cobh declared their intention not to register or pay the tax.  The fact that the tax is unjust and will rise sharply in a short period of time was highlighted.  It was also pointed out that the proposed Water Tax which will follow shortly on the heels of the Household Tax is also a major threat.  The proposed Water Tax in itself will be a major burden and one that will hit the majority households harshly.

Cork continues to organise against the household tax. Fermoy, Hollyhill, Macroom, Douglas and Mallow all had successful meetings this week with groups established in each area. Mallow was the biggest meeting with 250 people crowding into the town's Hibernian Hotel. Tonight the campaign rolls on with meetings in Charleville, Gurranabraher, Carrigaline and Bishopstown.

St Lukes Monday 20th Ambassador Hotel Military Hill 8pm

Blackpool Monday 20th Blackpool Community Centre 8pm

Youghal Tuesday 21st Red Store, North Main st 7.30pm

Newmarket Tuesday 21st O'Keeffe Memorial 8pm

Farranree Wednesday 22nd Community Centre Pophams Rd. 8pm

All organised by Campaign Against the Household and Water Tax

Protest in solidarity with all republican prisoners in Maghaberry Prison, Co Antrim.  The prison regime is failing to implement the 12th of August agreement with the prisoners. The issues at the heart of the dispute are controlled movement and strip searching.

3pm Daunt Square Cork Saturday 18th February

Organised by Prisoner Solidarity Group (Cork)

St Lukes Monday 20th Ambassador Hotel Military Hill 8pm

Blackpool Monday 20th Blackpool Community Centre 8pm

Youghal Tuesday 21st Red Store, North Main st 7.30pm

Newmarket Tuesday 21st O'Keeffe Memorial 8pm

Farranree Wednesday 22nd Community Centre Pophams Rd. 8pm

All organised by Campaign Against the Household and Water Tax

Fermoy Tuesday 14th Fermoy Community Youth Centre 8pm

Hollyhill and Shanakiel Tuesday 14th St. Vincents Hurling and Football Club, Blarney Road 8pm

Macroom Wednesday 15th Castle Hotel 8pm

Mallow Thursday 16th Hibernian Hotel 8pm

Douglas Thursday 16th Nemo Rangers 8 30pm

Bishopstown Friday 17th Bishopstown GAA 8pm

Charleville Friday 17th Charleville Community Centre 8pm

Gurranabraher Friday 17th The Hut 8pm

Carrigaline Friday 17th Carrigaline Community Centre 8pm

An estimated 5,000 people marched in the streets of Cork yesterday to show their support for the former workers of the Vita Cortex factory, who have spent nearly 60 days occupying their former workplace as part of a struggle to get their former boss Jack Ronan to pay a €1.2m redundancy package that had been promised to them since last September. The march, organised by the Cork Council of Trade Unions, left from Connolly Hall on Lapp's Quay and concluded at the plaza at the southern end of Grand Parade, via Parnell Place and Patrick St.

Following on the successful meeting in the Imperial hotel in January the CAHWT in Cork has been running a series of local meetings around the city and county. Turnout has been positive at the these meetings and local groups have got up and running distributing literature, running stalls and organising for protests.  On Tuesday 7th meetings saw over 80 people attending in Blarney, 70 plus in Carrigtwohill and 30 in Passage West. On Wednesday 80 people packed a meeting in Ballyvolane on Corks' northside, on thursday over 60 people gathered in Ballyphehane Community centre and 90 in Glanmire.  Every meeting saw dozens sign up as members and pledge support for activity.