I was a little apprehensive when I made my way early this morning to Maynooth University Campus because I wasn’t sure how strong the turnout would be on the picket line for today’s one-day strike. I needn’t have worried, actually, because the attendance was very good at all the locations where pickets were stationed and everyone was in good spirits.
It was a bit breezy, which made for some difficulties with flags and placards, but it was a very enjoyable day all round, with a real sense of camaraderie among the pickets as well as a very positive reaction from the general public. I lost count of the number of vehicles whose drivers honked their support as they passed the picket line! I was happy too that the whole day passed off without any significant incidents.
Here are a few random pictures I took, including a rare selfie.
I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to figure out why the abacus was there!
I’d like to thank all the members of IFUT, SIPTU and Unite who turned out today and an extra thank-you goes to the members of Maynooth Students’ Union who brought us hot drinks and snacks.
As well as showing solidarity with the other public sector workers striking today, this was a very good day for building connections among people working at Maynooth. I think these will prove very important in the future, including next Wednesday when, unless the Government changes its position, we will have another 24-hour stoppage.
All in all, it was a very good day. I am, however, not to put too fine a point on it, somewhat knackered. I think an early night beckons.
