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Issue No.16 Spring 2004
There are 2 current projects
under the umbrella of City Bridges. The Community Perceptions Research
project aims to examine trade union and community activists’ perceptions
of the structure, operations and potential of the Trade Union movement.
This project will also explore
various ways in which it can assist in combating alienation and divisions
within communities as well as in the workplace. City Bridges sees the
principles of Equity, Diversity and Interdependence as the basis for working
towards a new society. This project is supported by the EU Programme for
Peace and Reconciliation administered by the Community Relations Council. The second project is a cross border/cross community workplace based project which aims to bring about a better understanding between working people in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland. The project will develop strategies to tackle intimidation and discrimination as well as promote good relations within the workplace. It will also deal with concepts such as Equity, Diversity and Interdependence and develop training materials based on Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This will be achieved by actively engaging with Trade Unions, Trade Union councils, employers in the public and private sectors, and particularly trade union members in the workplace. This project is funded by the
EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation administered by Co-Operation
Ireland. Project activities include seminars, cross border exchange visits
and workshops. Six activities have already been delivered to 130 participants
on a cross border basis. Further activities are organised for this year
including Workplace Good Relations and Training for Equality Impact Assessments,
(Section 75). City Bridges has brought together
workers from Louth County Hospital and Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry. Worker
and Management representatives took part in a seminar which discussed
cross border issues and aspects of common concern to health provision.
Additionally, worker representatives
from Moy Park Ltd, Dungannon met with workers from Cartan Bros/Manor Farm,
a poultry processing company in Co. Cavan .They discussed best practice
for the industry on issues such as sectarianism and racism. A return visit
will take place this year. Seminars on the following themes will also be organised this year.
A new trainers’ manual
on Anti-Racism/Anti-Sectarianism designed to allow the experienced trainer
to deliver a one day workshop on issues such as racism and sectarianism
is due to be launched. The manual which is designed to be used both north
and south is funded by the International Fund for Ireland. City Bridges have also formed
a valuable partnership with Counteract, the Anti-Intimidation unit founded
by the ICTU. This partnership aims to work with both trade unions and
community activists to identify and address specific and complementary
issues of importance to the Labour movement. In July 2003 City Bridges and
Counteract organised a fringe meeting at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions
delegate conference on the theme of ‘Racism and Sectarianism: The
Twin Evils in Ireland - The Challenge for Trade Unions’. A report
of the meeting which was addressed by prominent speakers both north and
south is available from City Bridges. For further information on the project please contact Eamonn Oakes, Project Manager or Sharon McLaughlin, Project Administrator. Ph: 02890 314168/Mob:07733361939 from ROI: 04890 314168/+44 (0) 7733361939 |
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