Description
Book SynopsisThis is the untold story of Counteract, the trade union sponsored anti-sectarian unit tackling violent sectarianism in the workplace in the Northern Ireland conflict. As the death toll mounted through the 1980s key union women and men started what was planned as a campaign to support workers and became a ground-breaking facility for mediating sectarian disputes in the workplace in these violent times. People were shot for challenging flags at work, drivers hijacked at gun point and forced to drive bombs, taxi drivers murdered in tit-fortat sectarian killings, and workers were forced out of jobs because of sectarian threats and intimidation. This is a hidden part of the peace process, showing the path from «Shipyard confetti» to nuanced expressions of sectarian hostility.
Trade Review«In the narrative of the Northern Ireland conflict, the role of the trade unions in combatting sectarian intimidation is rarely given the prominence it deserves. In telling the remarkable story of Counteract, Roz Goldie has done much to remedy that. This book is a revelation and a reminder that so much more needs to be done.» (Keith Baker, former Head of News and Current Affairs, BBC Northern Ireland)
«A fascinating insight into courageous and largely unsung efforts to tackle deeplyembedded sectarian attitudes and intimidation affecting employees in Northern Ireland. Roz Goldie’s thorough research also provides serious lessons for all those striving on the long and winding road to fair employment and diversity in their workplace, wherever it is.» (John Conway, former Head of News and Current Affairs, BBC Northern Ireland)
«The struggle against sectarianism in Northern Ireland has found an important chronicler in Roz Goldie.» (Lord Bew, historian and Emeritus Professor of Irish Politics at Queen’s University Belfast)
Table of ContentsContents: Living in War – Working for Peace – Meeting the Challenge – 1991– 92: Early Work –1993: Building Strong Foundations – 1994: Developing Work in a Changing World – 1995– 96: Peace Breaks Out for a While – 1996– 97: Strategic Development to Change Organisations – 1997: The Poppy and Black Ribbon Disputes – 1998– 99: New Dispensation – New Mainstream Vocabulary – 1998– 99: Consolidating Alliances – Building on Networks – 2000: If You Do What You’ve Always Done, You Get What You’ve Always Got – The Limits, the Lessons and the Legacy.
