The NIC-ICTU BDC heard an important speech from the ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy, which was reported by the Irish Times here and Press Association here and here.
The comments on constitutional matters received some attention and for clarity, here is the video and a full transcription of this section of Owen’s speech.
…Finally, I want to touch on an issue that I think we can no longer ignore, and that is the issue of the constitutional future of the island of Ireland.
I think it's an issue that can't be avoided. I think it's an issue that if we're serious about representing all of our members, and I stress all of our members, we must engage in it, irrespective of people's views on the matter. I think everyone would, would agree that things that have taken place in the last decade, particularly around the issue of Brexit and other matters, has made the possibility or the prospect of a referendum over the next decade more likely.
The outcome of that referendum as a matter for the people primarily in Northern Ireland, but also in the Republic of Ireland, because it would be a ballot on both sides of the border. So the people will decide, but I do think it is probably more likely than not, that that type of a referendum may take place in the next 10 years.
And let's remember the Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement, which we mark quarter of a century next May, and which we supported from the outset. And (remember) many of the people in this room and many of the people who went before us fought very hard to make it a reality. That agreement is very clear. It creates the space and the context for people who want constitutional change, to lobby for it, to articulate it and to advocate it, as long as they do it by peaceful means.
It also provides the equivalent opportunity for people who want the status quo and to keep that link, to advocate for it, to campaign for it, as a lobby for it, by peaceful means - two very legitimate, balanced equal aspirations.
And the reason why I think we need to be involved in this debate is that the trade union movement in Northern Ireland - but actually quite frankly, across the island - there is no other organisation like us. We are unique. There's no political party like us. There's no church group like us. There's no civil society organisation like us, that has the reach and the breadth into every community, in Northern Ireland, and indeed, in Ireland because we are truly cross community.
We have that rich diversity that is our strength, that plurality of views. So I think our unique voice needs to be heard in this debate. In this room, it's a microcosm of our society. There are people in this room who would define themselves as Nationalist, Unionist, Loyalist, Republican, a little bit of both or some of the above, and a number of people who would consider themselves none of the above.
There's no other organisation, there's no other movement, there's no other grouping that can bring that diversity of people together. So I think we should engage in this debate with confidence, with strength and crucially, with a unity of purpose.
This debate is too important to be left to politicians. And it is too important to be left to people who have firm and fixed views, irrespective of what their view is, because there are many people who haven't got a settled view but - and it's a huge but - as we engage in this debate, because engage we must, let us do so in the time honoured trade union tradition of respect, of tolerance, and acceptance of diverse views on this issue.
There is no one right view, there are many right views. Let's represent the diverse identities and cultural backgrounds that we all come from. Because we are the only people who represent that rich, diverse background - no one else does.
But as we do this, let's remember the primacy of the unity of our movement is the key issue. And it is the essential issue, and we must do nothing to destabilise that. I think we should remember those who went before us who kept this movement together in the worst of times, who spilled their sweat, and extended their labour to make sure that our movement remained united during the troubles in the 60s 70s and 80s. They did it in a much more challenging time. And we are all the better for it.
So, in honour of their legacy, and their memory, but I think much more importantly, in honour of the future of our children and their children's children. They need a strong trade union movement. They need a united trade union movement on this island.
We do not want to become a movement that primarily gets its support from people who want constitutional change. We do not want to become a trade union movement that primarily gets support from people who want the constitutional status quo. We are we must remain a movement that gets its support from all workers, who want and desire greater justice in society and more fairness at work. Whether it's in one jurisdiction or two, it's a matter for the people.
So the unity of our movement must remain the bedrock. And it must be the ambition. And I think it must be the obligation of this generation of trade union leaders - and each and every one of you in this room are trade union leaders - there is an onus and an obligation on us to pass our movement on to our children and their children that is united, that speaks with one voice. And that maintains the diversity and the rich difference of opinion on this issue that we've had for a long time into the future.
If we don't do that, workers who come after us will suffer and they will have it worse off. We have been handed that opportunity to make our movement stronger and better. But let's keep it united.
Thanks very much.
