There will be pickets in Belfast in both the King Street and Whiterock Road/Falls Road branches of Sean Graham Bookmakers between 11.30am – 12.30pm on Saturday 9 April, in support of the industrial action taken by workers in relation to their justified struggle for a living wage!
Speaking on the issue, Sean Graham worker and Unite the Union member, Natasha Lawless, stated:
“Myself and shop staff from SP Graham Ltd will be taking strike action on Saturday 9th April (Grand National) We have been forced to strike as the Management of Grahams have offered nine pence an hour above the lowest legally permissible rate of pay from April of this year.
“This pay offer does nothing to address the poverty pay on which our staff are expected to live. We also face poor staff security eg, single man shops, some shops have no bandit screens etc..We know that SP Graham Ltd is a highly profitable company with a significant turnover. They can well afford to pay their workers a living wage and improve staff security. Please support our strike and do not pass the picket line. Thank you!”
All Unite the Union members, Unite Community branch members, other Trade Unionists, IRSP members and all progressives are asked to attend. Belfast Mid-Falls IRSP spokesperson, Alex Mcguigan, continued:
“This is just another example of the vicious offensive against basic worker’s rights. We have a proud track record of giving unconditional support to working class people faced with draconian measures to undermine their rights. Let the corporate bosses know that they can not treat the proletariat as disposable underlings and we will fight for their right to a wage that can realistically be enough to feed their families. Be there on Saturday to support the bookmaker’s workers. Be there on Saturday 9 April, to show your support for your fellow workers. Do not pass picket lines. An injury to one, is an injury to all!”
