‘We’re expecting a big turn out tomorrow for the nationwide demonstrations,’ an Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) spokesman told News Line yesterday.
He added: ‘The purpose of the Get Up Stand Up Campaign launched by ourselves with the support of all affiliates on the island of Ireland is to oppose the government and the way it is handling the crisis in favour of the banks.
‘The government has done nothing for jobs. And cutting incomes, including social welfare in a recession is not only morally wrong, it’s madness.
‘It will turn a recession into a depression.
‘Demonstrators will be carrying banners and placards saying “Banks 54m euros – jobs zero”.
‘Tomorrow is just the start of our campaign leading to the Budget.
‘There will be stoppages and 24-hour strikes to follow.’
The Get Up Stand Up Campaign website says: ‘We believe there is a fairer way.
‘Where are the plans to protect peoples’ jobs, or create new employment?
‘Where are the plans to protect peoples’ homes from repossession? And where are the plans to protect vital services at a time when greater numbers will come to depend on them?
‘The course of action proposed by government is both unworkable and unfair.
‘To cut peoples’ incomes in a recession invites economic freefall and to impose the greatest burden on low and middle income earners is unjust.
‘They played no role in causing this crisis and should not be presented with the bill.
‘This crisis demands fresh thinking. So far all we’ve seen are reruns and reheats of the same failed policies that have brought us to this sorry pass.
‘This crisis demands that people get active and get involved. Get Up, Stand Up!
‘Show your solidarity. March with us on November 6th!’
Members of the 24/7 Frontline Alliance representing gardai, nurses, fire fighters, prison officers and ambulance drivers, will be participating in all of the marches.
The six affiliated unions and staff associations – the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, the Garda Representative Association, the Irish Nurses Organisation, the Prison Officers Association, the Psychiatric Nurses Association and SIPTU – will be marching in solidarity with other PAYE workers.
They are participating, in particular, to voice their opposition to the effects the McCarthy Report cuts will have on the delivery of frontline services to the public.
As part of the National Day of Protest, there are demonstrations scheduled to take place in eight centres across the south – Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Sligo, Tullamore, and Dundalk.
In the north, Unison is organising with the ICTU.
In Belfast, Unison-led marches will converge on Belfast City Hall from the Belfast City Hospital, the Royal Hospitals and the Mater Hospital.
Rallies will be held in Derry, Omagh, Enniskillen, Armagh, Newry, Craigavon, Antrim, Ballymena and Coleraine.
