Dublin Council of Trade Unions
National Forum
'There Is An Alternative'
Liberty Hall Dublin, 12 pm - 3pm, Saturday 8th May 2010

In view of the cuts in public and social spending, which have transferred the cost of the economic crisis on to working people, the poorest and the most defenceless, while billions of euro are handed over to the banks to bail them out, the Dublin Council of Trade Unions is convening a Forum of Trades Councils, trade unions, trade unionists, community organisations, campaigns, NGOs, political parties and organisations, independent TDs, etc. to discuss the formulation of a platform of aims, as referred to in our letter of invitation (23rd March), and a plan of campaign to seek their achievement. Organisations have been invited to send up to three people and to participate in the Forum. Participation does not imply any policy commitments in advance and decisions will be made by consensus if at all possible.

Agenda

12.00 Introduction:  'There Is An Alternative', Fighting the cuts, the ICTU 10 Point programme, and other new ways forward.
Phil McFadden, President, Dublin Council of Trade Unions.

12.10 The bones of an alternative: suggestions for a basic policy platform.
Mick O'Reilly, Executive, Dublin Council of Trade Unions.

12.30 Is there an economic and political alternative?
Vincent Browne, journalist and broadcaster.

12.50 'Show me the money': a little bit of alternative economics
Michael Taft, UNITE trade union economist.

1.10 – 3.00 General Discussion & further action and activity