In a statement today (Jan 19th) the People Before Profit Alliance announced that Andy Keegan, a 48 year old unemployed construction worker, is to be their candidate in Dublin North West.
Andy has worked in the construction industry for over 30 years and wants to use his election campaign to highlight problems facing construction workers and their families.
“With thousands of families losing their main wage earner due to the collapse of the construction industry, they find themselves on the bread line, in debt and unable to provide the basics for their families. Often they are unable to maintain a roof over their heads. The Construction Industry Federation’s solution to the problems of construction workers is to impose the minimum wage and to roll back wages and conditions on site for those construction workers who still have jobs.”
Andy will be demanding a public works programme to build schools and to retrofit buildings to make them energy efficient . Andy says "Recent events have shown that major investment is needed in our water infrastructure. It is totally unacceptable that thousands of construction are left on the dole when there is lots of useful work they can be doing".
Andy also wants a guarantee that all appretice will be allowed finish their training.
Noel Pollock, a construction worker supporting Andy’s campaign said, “construction workers and their families need to get organised around the country. Some 50,000 families face real difficulties and need help. We have got to help ourselves by getting organised. I appeal to construction workers and their families to help in Andy’s campaign in whatever way they can, but also to help us build our broader campaign for a building industry with a future.”
Andy has given a commitment, like all PBP candidates, that he will only take a workers wage if elected.
Contact Eddie Conlon 087 6775468 or Andrew Keegan 087 6675895