Gregor Kerr reports on the ICTU Global Solidarity School, Wexford, August 20 2026
On Thursday 20th August 2026, Irish Left With Ukraine hosted a session at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Global Solidarity Summer School entitled ‘Practical Solidarity – what should Irish trade unionists be doing to support our Ukrainian colleagues?’
The session was introduced by Gregor Kerr, Irish Left With Ukraine who thanked the organisers of the Summer School for facilitating the discussion. He asked delegates to “…put yourself in the shoes of Ukrainian workers and trade unionists – people who in the last months of 2021 and the early months of 2022 were grappling with exactly the same sort of struggles we face on a day to day basis – struggles with individual employers about wage rates and terms and conditions, struggles with the broader neo-liberal government agenda on issues of access to public health, housing, education etc etc.?” When their lives were turned upside down by the horrors of the invasion, he asked “How do any of us know how we would respond in such a situation? Our pre-ordained political theory might suddenly not fit the reality of the brutality of what is happening.”
Our challenge, he said, is to listen to the voice of Ukrainian trade unionists and leftists and ask them “What’s your experience? What do you want us to do? How can we show our solidarity with you?” By listening, we realise the importance of arguing for “…the right of Ukrainian people to resist the invasion by whatever means they feel necessary, for their right to get the weapons they need to mount that resistance from whatever source they can whether we like that source or not – which can obviously be a sticking point for many. But sticking point or not …. Our job is not to say what we think Ukrainians should say or do. Our job is to listen, to provide a platform, to amplify their voices.”
Gregor argued that “…there is a huge difference between saying We should remain militarily neutral and should not join any military bloc, should have nothing to do with NATO and also being able to say at the same time that in any instance of conflict we are on the side of the oppressed against the oppressor…..we must defend Solidarity as well as Neutrality – We stand with the Palestinians in their struggle against the oppression of apartheid Israel, We stand with the people of Ukraine in their struggle against the oppression of the invading Russian forces.”
He praised the Irish trade union movement for being unequivocal in our support for Ukraine since the invasion in February 2022, through motions passed, statements issued and practical fundraising and solidarity donations. “…the importance of all pledges and concrete actions of solidarity cannot be over-stated,” he concluded. “And, indeed, the importance of providing a space and a platform for the amplification of the voices of Ukrainian trade unionists and workers is possibly the singular most important thing any of us can do in terms of supporting Ukrainian resistance to the invasion of their country by Putin’s imperialist forces.”
The Irish trade union movement and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have been unequivocal in our support for Ukraine since the brutal Russian invasion in February 2022.
In March 2022, ICTU organised a well-attended demonstration outside the Russian embassy to mark the one-month anniversary of the invasion.
The 2023 Biennial Delegate Conference passed a comprehensive motion proposed by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions which, among other things, condemned the invasion, called for an immediate withdrawal of Russian forces, sent solidarity to the trade union movement and workers of Ukraine and to all peace, anti-war, trade union and workers activists in the Russian Federation and condemned imperialist war, expansion and aggression anywhere in the world from any big power or their clients, or from any military alliance.
In February of this year, in a statement to mark the fourth anniversary of the invasion ICTU reaffirmed its support for the Ukrainian people in their fight for sovereignty and self-determination and stated
“Trade unions have always stood proudly against imperialism. As the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, that commitment remains as strong as ever. We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, with their trade unions, and with all those who resist imperialist and authoritarian regimes. A just and lasting peace, one based on respect for Ukrainian sovereignty, is what they deserve, and it is what we will continue to advocate for.”
Over the past 4 and a half years, ICTU and many unions have run fundraising efforts and moneys raised have gone to the Irish Red Cross and to the International Trade Union Confederation fund to support Ukrainian unions.
Ukraine’s Reality and the Power of International Solidarity
Kateryna Maliuta of the Ukrainian Trade Union, the TUESWU and Education International, delivered this presentation to the August 20 2026 ICTU Global Solidarity School in Wexford. It can be downloaded here.
It is packed with useful and inspiring information.
Kateryna Maliuta-Osaulova is the International Secretary of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine. Born in 1984 in a small town in the central part of Ukraine, Kateryna graduated from the Institute of International Relations and Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine and has been working in trade unions since 2011, first in the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, and then in the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine.
We also add below the text of the presentation slides.
The solidarity described here needs to be repeated in the coming months.
Therefore, an International Convoy – presently planned to arrive in Ukraine in November 2026 – is currently being organised.
Details are here :
As first steps, readers are encouraged to find out more at this link – consider spreading the word – and adding individual and organizational endorsements, as appropriate.
A James Connolly Documentary will be broadcast on the Irish State’s main TV broadcast station, Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ 1) on
Wednesday August 26 2026, RTÉ 1, 21.30
Yellow Asylum Films Announcement :
WE ONLY WANT THE EARTH The Life & Ideas of James Connolly
We are delighted to announce the upcoming screening on RTÉ of the feature documentary on James Connolly, created to inspire and enlighten a contemporary audience about Connolly, his life and his ideas. It will screen on RTÉ 1 on Wednesday August 26th at 21.30. An iconic presence on the landscape of Irish socialism and republicanism, the name of James Connolly looms large in the trade union movement and wherever radical left-wing politics are espoused. The film tries to place Connolly’s radical ideas and many political achievements against the landscape of the contemporary world as well as documenting his more prominent role in the 1916 Easter Rising. As well as many distinguished commentators, union activists and historians, the film also features many songs and poems – spoken and sung by contemporary artists such as Christy Moore, Stephen Rea, piper David Power, singers Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Esosa Ighodaro as well as Connolly’s great great grand-daughter Tamsin Iona Connolly Heron. Acclaimed actor Terry O’Neill performs the words of Connolly. The film aims to reclaim Connolly’s story as well as invoking his important social vision – with a clear eye on how it resonates in our contemporary time – an era when even democracy itself appears under threat. The film was independently produced and financed with the support of the Irish Trade Union movement.
Director & Writer: Alan Gilsenan Producer & Archive Researcher: Martin Mahon Executive Producers: Des Geraghty & Noírín Greene
A Yellow Asylum Films Production for the James Connolly Foundation for Educational Equality
The documentary is recommended to all readers interested in the life and times of James Connolly, a revolutionary marxist activist who became a leader of the growing Irish trade union movement in the early 20th century, and who promoted a distinct socialist and anti-imperialist vision. Connolly was one of the seven signatories of the Easter 1916 Rising in Dublin’s General Post Office (GPO). The British state executed this hero of the Irish working class on May 12 1916.
Ever since, James Connolly has captured a place in the Irish public imagination more than any other figure in the workers’ and socialist movement. No Irish socialist is really taken seriously unless s/he claims to be following in his tradition.
This was the position in 1972, as desbribed in the pages of a weekly political publication, Hibernia :
No fewer than 23…..communist, socialist and left-wing groups exist in Ireland, according to a list appearing in the 23 June 1972 issue of Hibernia. These organisations represent various trends in national and international politics but all, without exception, laid claim to James Connolly as their model and inspiration.
This position is essentially unchanged in 2026.
Yet at the time of his execution Connolly was isolated in the leadership of the Irish workers’ movement and internationally. He is reported as saying in his death-cell “The socialists will not understand why I am here. They forget I am an Irishman”.
Louise Bryant – A contemporary revolutionary socialist and feminist who understood why James Connolly was in Dublin’s GPO at Easter 1916
There were significant exceptions. We begin with a contemporary assessment written by Louise Bryant :
I Was delighted to have the opportunity to speak at Irish Congress of Trade Unions Global Solidarity Summer School on behalf of Irish Left With Ukraine, alongside Chris Ford of Ukraine Solidarity Campaign and Kateryna Maliuta-Osaulova of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine, on the topic of why Irish trade unionists should show solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and how we can do so.- Gregor Kerr
Gregor’s speech is below.
Gregor Kerr speaking, ICTU Global Solidarity School, White’s Hotel, Wexford August 20 2026Gregor Kerr intriduces online speakers – Christppher Ford Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (Britain); Kateryna Maliuta-Osaulova of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine,; ICTU Global Solidarity School, White’s Hotel, Wexford August 20 2026 Solidarity doesn’t stop at home.
A strong INTO delegation has been at ICTU’s Global solidarity conference this week. Our delegation discussed Ukraine, Cuba, post-election Colombia and its earthquake recovery as well as ways to support and campaign for Palestine. – INTO
I’d like to start by thanking David Joyce and the Global Solidarity Committee and conference organisers for including this session on the Summer School schedule. In this session, I’m going to invite you to put yourself in the shoes of Ukrainian workers and trade unionists – people who in the last months of 2021 and the early months of 2022 were grappling with exactly the same sort of struggles we face on a day to day basis – struggles with individual employers about wage rates and terms and conditions, struggles with the broader neo-liberal government agenda on issues of access to public health, housing, education etc etc.?
But, suddenly, their lives were turned upside down by a brutal invasion of their country. They found themselves facing the sort of horrors we really can’t envisage and they found themselves grappling with how to respond.
How do any of us know how we would respond in such a situation? Our pre-ordained political theory might suddenly not fit the reality of the brutality of what is happening.
So the challenge for each of us as Irish trade unionists and as Irish left political activists is to be able to step outside our political theory and to listen to the voices of Ukrainian trade unionists, feminists, LGBTQ+ activists, socialists, anarchists.. to listen to their reality, to respond to their requests, to empathise with the horrific situation in which they find themselves…
A number of leading figures within the League of Ireland, as well as a former Ireland manager and women’s captain, have signed an open letter calling on the FAI to refuse to play Israel in the UEFA Nations League later this year.
A campaign by Irish Sport for Palestine, titled “Stop the Game” has been launched, with an open letter backed by high-profile figures in Irish soccer.
Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland chair and Shamrock Rovers captain Roberto Lopes – who is set to play in this summer’s World Cup for Cape Verde – urged the FAI to reverse its stance.
“We have to stop the game. As players and fans, our natural instinct is always to get out there and compete, but this is a moment where we need to look at the bigger picture. We can’t ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration. Ireland has an opportunity here to lead—to be a pioneer and do what others won’t. We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can’t just stand by. Please, stop the game,” Lopes wrote.
Former men’s national team manager Brian Kerr and 2019 FAI women’s player of the year Louise Quinn are among those from inside the sport that added their names to the campaign.
Christy Moore, Fontaines DC and Kneecap are also among the 38 signatories.
The open letter addressed to the FAI called on them “to refuse to participate in the two scheduled UEFA nations league games against Israel.”
With “the clear and ongoing serious breaches of UEFA & FIFA statute regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands”, adding “as a member of UEFA you have a duty to upload [sic] these rules if UEFA will not”.
The letter also highlights the landslide vote of FAI members last year, where 93% voted to instruct the organisation to call for Israel’s suspension to UEFA.
The FAI confirmed it would be fulfilling the fixtures, stressing that “serious consequences” would result from forfeiting the games, which would “materially harm the long-term sporting interests of Irish football”.
The governing body said at the time they had consulted with the government and An Garda Síochána and were satisfied that the home tie could be staged in Dublin.
“I don’t see a difference between Fifa and Uefa banning Russia and not Israel,” – Irish Manager Heimir Hallgrímsson
Heimir Hallgrímsson wants Israel thrown out of UEFA and FIFA competitions ; “Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson believes Fifa and Uefa should remove Israel from their competitions in the same way that they banned Russia.
Both Fifa and Uefa banned all Russian clubs and international teams on February 28th 2022, four days after the invasion of Ukraine.
“I don’t see a difference between Fifa and Uefa banning Russia and not Israel,” said Hallgrímsson. “I don’t see the difference.
“I am not speaking on behalf of the FAI – I just don’t see the difference.”
Press Statement – Government decision ‘heartless and cruel’ and must be opposed says Irish Left With Ukraine
Irish Left With Ukraine (ILWU) has condemned as “heartless and cruel” the government decision to withdraw accommodation supports for Ukrainian refugees, and has called on the trade union movement and all progressive forces to immediately launch a campaign to “reject firmly the government’s pandering to anti-immigrant sentiment.”
“In the midst of a housing crisis, the threat to throw 16,000 Ukrainians out of state-provided accommodation will mean evicting many of these people into homelessness,” said ILWU in a statement. “It will mean people being uprooted from their communities, children having to leave schools in which they are settled and have made classmates and friends, and people having to quit their jobs.
Alongside this, the decision to cut and eventually end altogether the Accommodation Recognition Payment will impact directly on a further 42,000 people who are currently accommodated in people’s homes across the country.
1 way or another, if these numbers are right, Wales is headed for a left-wing majority at the May 7 Senedd elections. A Plaid Cymru/Labour/Green coalition would have 56 seats, a healthy majority of 16 against the vile racist right Reform-Cons. it’s a proportional representation election.
🏴Senedd | Plaid lead by 5pts🟩Plaid: 30% (+9)➡️Ref: 25% (+24)🔴Lab: 15% (-21)🔵Con: 12% (-13)🟢Grn: 10% (+6)🟠Lib: 6% (+2)– Seats –🟩Plaid: 39 (+17)➡️Ref: 27 (+27)🔴Lab: 13 (-31)🔵Con: 12 (-18)🟢Grn: 4 (+4)🟠Lib: 1 (+1)Poll: @Ipsos, 2-8 April (+/- vs 2021) x.com/LeftieStats/…
If these numbers are right, the Scottish National party will win the May 7 Scottish parliament election, either with a majority over all other parties, or in coalition with the Greens. The vile racist far-right coalition Reform-Cons will only get 23 seats out of 129.
Once again, thanks to the editor of the Cedar Lounge Blog for drawing the attention of readers to very good Éamonn Sweeney left-wing analysis to the current Dublin government, which administers the 26 county bit of Ireland.
On this blog we describe the Mícheál Martin / Simon Harris government as FFFGBG – that is : a coalition of Fianna Fáil (FF), Fine Gael (FG), and Beggar-Gombeens (BG’s). The BG’s were assembled by the North Tipperary ex-FG minister Michael Lowry, who was thoroughly investigated by the Mahon Tribunal following credible allegations of financial corruption in the 1990’s. Fine Gael’s ethical standards are extremely low, but the party was obliged to expel Mr Lowry.
Micheál Martin meeting Trump Saint Patricks Day White House 2026
The BG’s got many perks for propping up the FFFG Martin-Harris duo – the biggest was the position of Dáil Ceann Comhairle (speaker) handed to the Wexford racist, and former FG member, Verona Murphy.
Some of the BG’s might be tempted to join their racist-fascist soul-brothers who lead the fuel blockade movement.
A coherent left-wing alternative is very badly needed.
The far-right political rulers of the USA and the Russian Federation, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, are promoting the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, ahead of a general election in the Eastern European state on Sunday April 12 2026. The implications of this political development are widely understood; a selection of reactions which have appeared on Bluesky should put an end – for ever – the obviously ludicrous theory promoted by some on the left that the 2022 Russian genocidal invasion of Ukraine was a disguised USA V Russia war (a “Proxy” war).
Trump calls into an Orbán campaign rally to endorse him, as Bloomberg reveals secret tapes of Orbán's private conversations with Putin in which he promises him absolute loyalty.
-Trump threatening to wipe out entire civilizations.-JD Vance courting dictators, Orban and Putin.🚨 We are in the middle of a national emergency, and the only way it ends is with Trump's removal. This is ALL we should be talking about right now.
JD Vance is off to Hungary, another Trump official working (with Putin) to prop up Orban. Re-upping this piece abt why many self-styled “classical liberals” abandon all principles when it comes to Orban: they like the authoritarianism and want it for America.donmoynihan.substack.com/p/make-ameri…
If he was telling the truth, he would have added "on Moscow's terms" immediately after saying "Trump and Orban have done the most to end the war".It is a completely new low for the Vice President of the United States to perform such blatant political interference in a foreign country. Disgraceful.
Vance in Budapest: Orbán as the Far Right’s Proof of Concept
What Pinochet Was to Neoliberals, Orbán Is to Christian Nationalists
When US Vice-President J.D. Vance travelled to Budapest to endorse Viktor Orbán ahead of the 2026 Hungarian elections, the ideological logic of the Trump–Orbán alliance came into focus. For American nativist Christian nationalists, Orbán’s Hungary is a proof of concept: evidence that a programme combining Christian nationalism, anti-migration politics, and systematic dismantling of democratic opposition can hold power for sixteen years. Jan Bělíček dissects Vance’s Budapest speech — its Great Replacement tropes, its anti-EU demagoguery, its hollow invocations of workers’ rights, and the irony of preaching Christian civilisation to a comparatively secular Hungarian audience. The underlying agenda, Bělíček concludes, is replication: Vance and Trump want to build in the United States what Orbán has built in Hungary. [AN]
Watching yesterday’s second appearance by J.D. Vance in Budapest, I think I finally understood why the second-highest-ranking US politician has travelled to lend his support to Viktor Orbán ahead of the elections. [1] For nativist Christian nationalists like Vance, Orbán’s Hungary represents much the same thing that Augusto Pinochet represented for the neoliberal right. [2] It demonstrates that their political experiment — grounded in Christianity, aggressive nationalism, and hostility to expert knowledge and the left — can succeed and hold power for an extraordinary sixteen years.
President Donald Trump said he would “suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks” subject to Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s foreign minister said his country’s armed forces would halt military operations and allow safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz if the US stops its attacks.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell 5 per cent, while WTI, the US benchmark, fell 9 per cent.
Pakistan had requested Trump extend his 8pm ET deadline for bombing civilian infrastructure in Iran and asked the Islamic republic to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump had on Tuesday morning escalated his rhetoric against Iran and warned that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Tehran does not strike a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline.
The US president had previously warned of major attacks on Iran’s bridges and power plants if Tehran did not agree to his deadline.
Attacks on “objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population” are prohibited under international law. – Source : Financial Times
A ceasefire won’t erase the #WarCrimes already committed by the Trump regime during this illegal war. And Trump has flip flopped before. Find or host an emergency protest at bit.ly/nowar45
Tomás Ó Flatharta 