Charter

CHARTER

1913 to 2013 – A New Republic

A new Republic can be forged from the embers of the collapse of a value system which has placed individual greed over the common good. It must reflect our collective solidarity while respecting the integrity of the hopes and aspirations of all who live in Ireland today.  Everyone must have the opportunity to influence the blueprint for the future of Ireland.  It cannot be the preserve of the elite.

Almost a century has passed since the great Dublin Lock-out of 1913.  In that historic confrontation working people heroically resisted the attempt to smash their union.  By doing so they asserted their right to organise so that they could participate in the formulation of the future.  Despite the passage of 100 years, vindication of that Right remains elusive.  Freedom of Association is meaningless in the context of the workplace without the entitlement to Collective Bargaining.  This is enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty and in recent judgements of the European Court of Human Rights, yet it is still denied workers in Ireland. One hundred years is a long time to wait for a basic civil right.

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This People’s Charter seeks support from individuals, organisations, artistic and other sympathetic groups who are willing to commit themselves to the ‘1913 to 2013 – A New Republic’ project.

Charter for a New Republic

We declare for a new Republic embracing the values of Social Solidarity while respecting the integrity of the hopes and aspirations of all who live in Ireland today by:

1. Reaffirming the values that inspired Larkin and Connolly and their belief that every individual is entitled to a life that is culturally rich and socially rewarding
2. Recognising that this objective can only be achieved by people working together through their  civil society organisations, trade unions, political parties, credit unions, sporting, artistic, voluntary and community groups, and other democratic organisations
3. Asserting the Right to Freedom of Association, in society at large, which is meaningless  in the workplace without the complementary right to Collective Bargaining
4. 4. Defending basic living standards and setting a threshold of decency for everyone.
5. Protecting young people and tackling the growing scourge of youth unemployment, recognising that further education and training are essential to equipping  them with the means to articulate their interests
6. Strictly regulating market forces in the interests of sustainability and the Common Good
7. Acting in solidarity with people everywhere and especially those who are victims of exploitation, state repression or terrorism
8. Promoting and working with other groups, individuals and organisations that share these objectives.

I/We, the undersigned, agree that by joining the ‘1913 to 2013 – A New Republic’ project I/we undertake to promote these objectives.

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