On behalf of all the striking workers and their families at Marine Terminals, I would like to thank the people of Ringsend, Irishtown, Pearse Street, Sandymount and East Wall.

These communities, in the truest sense of the word, rallied around a group of demoralised people who felt they had been mistreated, marginalised, and forgotten when facing an intractable employer, an employer that would go to extraordinary lengths to undermine and intimidate people that have, for years, served with loyalty.

However, the support shown by the local community to those on the picket was overwhelming. The early days of this strike, that is now in its 11th week, were the darkest, beleaguered by management’s refusal to engage in negotiations, High Court injunctions and foreign mercenaries. Had it not been for the support received from our communities either side of the river, it’s quite possible that we might not have had the resolve to continue.

There is a misconception with some that those on strike don’t want to work or that they do so without any real thought about what they’re doing or the consequences for them and their families. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Everyone who balloted for industrial action, did so only after great consideration and reflection, and in the knowledge that every other avenue except capitulation had been exhausted. I will not list for you here the whys and the wherefores of the dispute, but will say that every person who is on the picket never wanted to have to travel this road.

To anyone who wants to know more about the dispute, run up to and details of its progression, I recommend a visit to a website set up by our supporters, www.mtldockers.com.

One thing that we really need to convey to everyone who has come out in support of the strikers, whether by taking part in marches or expressing words of encouragement, other than the depth of our own collective gratitude on the picket, is to try and make you aware of how many people your displays of solidarity have touched on a broader scale.

The website that has already been mentioned has chronicled the dispute and as a part of that, the actions of the local community in support of people on the picket. This has grabbed the attention of people all over Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK and beyond.

We have literally received messages of support from all over the world, people overwhelmed by the courage and spirit of the local men and women of our communities who came to the assistance of their friends and neighbours in a time of crisis.

The people in the community should know that their generosity, determination and strength is as well known in other maritime communities as much as the dispute itself.

When and how this dispute is going to end is not yet known. Those who are on strike will continue to stand up to this company as they have been doing since day one. They will continue to stand up for their right to be treated fairly, with the respect that is the birthright of every worker in this country, but at no point during this dispute has been shown.

The only thing that is certain is that without the continued support of our friends and neighbours in the community we will not succeed in what is an issue of huge importance not just locally but on a national level.

The outcome of this dispute will have enormous consequences for the industrial relations processes in this country. We have been extremely fortunate in the support that we have received thus far and know we can count on your support in the days and weeks to come.

Sincerely and with the greatest of thanks,
For and on behalf of striking Port workers.