What is the role of the trade union movement in bringing about social change?
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) conference at Liberty Hall in Dublin takes place in the context of an international economic crisis. The country is experiencing record unemployment and the pound is worth twenty per cent less than it was a year ago.
Andy Barr, ICTU, was the keynote speaker at the conference acknowledged that the entire western world was in an economic depression. He spoke strongly about the current economic crisis at the role of international speculative capital.
There was general agreement that Ireland needs broad and long term economic and social planning. The general consensus was that the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) along with existing state agencies should take responsibility for this planning.
The Workers Union of Ireland delegate, Paddy Cardiff, asked
Have we, the trade unionists, the understanding, the determination, indeed the will, to make these aims a reality.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 November 1974. The reporter is Pat Sweeney.
