Vote Des Derwin: For a democratic fighting SIPTU

Des Derwin launched an attack on a business leader's claims that the minimum wage of 7 euro an hour is too high. "Is Pat Delaney serious? So this is what IBEC means by social partnership. The day after the national minimum wage was raised from 6.35 euro an hour to 7 euro, he says on radio that the rate is too high. Let him live on 273 euro. He couldn't pay his mortgage for a start!"

By Stephen Boyd

Des Derwin SIPTU Vice President candidate is a low paid factory worker and member of the union for over 30 years. He is standing to oppose the social partnership agenda of the SIPTU leadership and to give a voice to the ordinary members. Des is committed to using the position of Vice President to begin the process of turning SIPTU into a democratic fighting trade union.

Des is calling for the minimum wage to be raised to 8 euro an hour,

and thinks that union leaders should be paid workers' wages not executives salaries. He says, "The present salary of SIPTU General Officers is over 100,000 euro. If elected I will accept only the average industrial wage."

Balloting in the election for Vice President of SIPTU continues until 20 February. Derwin is running against the right wing candidate, Dublin Regional Secretary, Brendan Hayes.

Des Derwin wants to see combined and determined action in CIE and Aer Rianta until the Minister's plans to split them up are dropped. "A forceful stand against privatisation is needed, not just 'guarantees' in privatised companies".

The Socialist Party urges all SIPTU members who want a representative who will fight for their interests and not the interests of the bosses to vote for Des Derwin.