Celebrating 35 years since the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid Strike

Join Mandate and the Irish Trade Union movement celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid Strike.

Tickets €20/€10 – FREE for people in Direct Provision
Click here to book

In 1984, 11 young Dunnes Stores workers in Dubin refused to handle goods from Apartheid South Africa due to how the regime treated black South Africans. The dispute became one of the most prolonged industrial battles in Irish history with the strike lasting for two years and nine months.

The workers won their campaign and forced the Irish government to ban all South African produce entering Ireland. Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela praised the workers for their actions with Mandela stating that the workers kept him going through many of his difficult days in prison. But victory didn’t come without significant personal and professional cost for all of the workers involved.

It is important that we remember the inspirational actions of these trade union members today, particularly as we witness the rise of racism and the far-right across Europe and Ireland.

Friday November 1st – Liberty Hall Theatre
18.00 – Introduction featuring The Dunnes Stores Strikers
18.20 – Reading of Tracy Ryan’s play Strike
20.00 – Interval
20.30 – Concert

Saturday November 2nd – Connolly Hall
10.30-11.30: ‘Back to the Future’
11.45–12.45: ‘Boycott’
13.00-14.30: ‘Linking Struggles’
14.30-15.00: Lunch
15.00-16.30: ‘The Most Dangerous Shopworkers in the World’ – Panel discussion with the Dunnes Stores Anti-Apartheid Strikers.

Some of the artists and speakers include: John Douglas (Mandate Trade Union), Bernadette McAliskey, Lucky Khambule (MASI), Yankari, Farah Elle, Natalya O’Flaherty, Bulelani Mfaco, Tommy McKearney (Hunger Striker), Christabel Gurney (Anti-Apartheid Movement), Betty Purcell, Fatin Al-Tamimi (Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign ), Margaret Ward (Historian), Brendan Ogle (Unite), Kitty Holland (Irish Times), Nicole Lam (MERJ), Gethin Roberts (Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners), Sinead Kennedy (Coalition to Repeal the 8th), Frank Connolly (SIPTU).

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to MASI – the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland.

Hosted by Mandate Trade Union, the Communications Workers’ Union, the Financial Services Union, SIPTU and Unite the Union.