Write a comment
People Before Profit’s Newry and Armagh representative Marc Mac Seáin has warned that Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry could face the same fate as Louth County Hospital. He visited Louth County Hospital with James Renaghan, PBP Louth representative, to show solidarity with striking healthcare workers, as 300,000 public sector workers in Ireland went on strike this week over a lack of pay rises.
At the event he urged people to attend the march in Newry for Maternity Services on 25 October at 2pm.
Mr Mac Seáin said listening to workers at Louth County Hospital had left an impression on him. “It strikes me listening to the workers at Louth County Hospital that they’re still dealing with cut-backs decades following the downgrading of their hospital, from when they lost maternity and not long after A&E. We’re facing the same threats with Daisy Hill in Newry, which will put people all over the region in danger. Louth County Hospital serves as a cautionary tale for what will happen with Daisy Hill if we don’t force the Southern Trust, Stormont, Dáil, whomever is needed to make the changes necessary to keep these vital services in Daisy Hill.
He also commented on the wider strikes. “During a historic cost-of-living crisis it’s amazing to see hundreds of thousands of workers take to the streets to force the government in the Republic of Ireland to take heed on low pay, staff shortages & shoe string budgets. Workers must sieze this opportunity from the grassroots to keep this movement going to win the concessions they deserve from a government with an 8 billion euro surplus."
Mr Mac Seáin said campaigns on a range of issues would need to be organised through workplaces and communities. “With healthcare North & South, housing, environment and many more struggles it’s only by organising through workplaces in unions, community campaigns like SOS Daisy hill & socialist parties like People Before Profit which we can win against the austerity agenda. We’re seeing a shift in momentum towards people power with Drumcree, these strikes and we can win if we pull together & organise to do it! Get out to the march in Newry for Maternity on 25th October at 2pm.”
