Bray cathaoirleach expresses solidarity with striking Roadstone workers

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District John Brady expressed solidarity and paid a visit to the striking Roadstone workers in Fassaroe, Bray. The workers in Bray have joined nearly 350 of their colleagues at 20 locations around the Country who are on strike since Monday last.

Speaking after visiting the workers in Bray the Cathaoirleach said "On Thursday i went to Roadstone in Fassaroe to show solidarity with the workers there who have been on strike since Monday after talks with management broke down. The workers join there colleagues in Arklow and approximately 350 workers in 20 other locations across the Country who as a last resort had no option but to take strike action".

Cllr Brady went onto say " Trade unions representing workers have engaged in negotiations with the management of Roadstone Woods Ltd in relation to cost reductions.  Management have been looking at reducing the payroll cost by €10 million over the next five years and it follows a cut of €6 million in payroll costs in 2012. Talks broke down over the weekend and unfortunately strike action had to be taken".

"When one looks at the huge bonuses given to directors of Roadstone as outlined at their AGM, i think its totally unacceptable for these big pay cuts to be imposed on ordinary workers which will inevitably inflict more financial hardship on them. This company is in profit and i think unfortunately a lot of big businesses are exploiting the recession purely to drive down wages for workers to satisfy the stock market and shareholders". 

Brady concluded "I pledged to do everything within my power to support the workers and i urge members of the public to do so also as whats happening in Roadstone will be somewhere else tomorrow unless we stick together. Support from the public towards the strikers has been fantastic and I'm asking people not to cross the picket line. Hopefully talks will resume and the exploitation of the workers in attempting to drive their wages down will cease". Ends