Regular IMC readers will know I love links! ;-)

So here's one to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions site:

Thousands of workers braved the rain and wind to protest against the sectarian murder of postie Daniel McColgan, and also the recent sectarian murders of Marti O Hagan, Gavin Brett and others. Unions in Northern Ireland called a half day strike, to protest against threats by the UDA/UFF/RHD to target catholic teachers and pupils, many unionised schools called a half day strike, including Lagan college, Our Lady and St Pats, Hazelwood integrated college, St Colmans, and many other schools shut half day in sympathy for the strike. Massive mobilisation of workers and others who downed tools at 12 noon to participate in the strike. A lesson to the government and politicians about the power and influence of Unions in defending the human rights of workers.

A marvellous spontaneous working-class reaction against intimidation. It looked very impressive on TV news, and not one SWP placard in sight.

I agree that it was great to see such workers solidarity yesterday in the face of the current upsurge in sectarianism in the north, but to say that the unions are 'defending the human rights of workers' is nonsense. If they were truly to do so, they would stop negotiating with the bosses to defuse potential radicalism in the workplace.

Unions are, and always will be, reflections of the bureaucratic statist hierarchies we see everywhere today. In my humble view, workers need to be engaged in greater self-activity outside and beyond the unions. More direct action, sabotage, go-slows etc and less party-building by the likes of the SWP etc!

The sight of those Irish workers from both religions was marvellous. And not a single SWP placard in sight. Well done comrades, your solidarity against murder gangs and support for each other does you credit.

Hey Sportsfan! No points for originality, but I reckon we represent a growing trend within the real workers movement.