SOUTH Dublin County Council is to confer the Honorary Freedom of the County to the 11 Dunne Stores workers who went on strike in 1984 to protest against the handling of South African fruit and vegetables.
This July marks the thirtieth anniversary of the strike that lasted for two and a half years.
The action ultimately led to the then Government to ban all importation of South African produce to Ireland.
The motion to award the freedom of the county to the 11 was formally agreed by all political leaders and councillors at April’s meeting of the council.
Cllr Gino Kenny of the People Before Profit Alliance put forward the motion earlier this year in recognition of the importance of the strike on the thirtieth anniversary.
Cllr Kenny said: “I think the Dunne Stores strike of 1984 and its narrative in trying to highlight the abhorrence of apartheid will forever be etched in trade union history in Ireland.
“Not only were the workers fighting an employer but their sentiment of international solidarity was a tribune against the oppressive state that was apartheid South Africa.
“Their journey evolved into one of the most important trade union strikes in Irish labour history that set out to boycott apartheid goods.
“Their own personal sacrifice during those two and half years was testament to themselves and the greater good of highlighting the terrible injustice of apartheid.
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Cllr Kenny added that with the upcoming 30th anniversary of the strike there was no better way to mark the occasion than putting the motion forward.
“Of course, since 1984 we have seen the end of apartheid and the passing of Nelson Mandela last year,
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“I think it’s in great recognition from this civic body that we salute the 11 people, four of whom reside in the county, with the highest award that this council can present to a person or persons who have made a enormous contribution to better the lives of others.
“It’s a honour for me to put this motion forward and celebrate the great ideals of the strike. The flame of resistance, solidarity and fraternity which was the heart beat of the strike still burns bright.
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The Honorary Freedom of the County ceremony will take place before May’s County Council meeting on May 6 at 2.30pm in the South Dublin County Council Civic building in Tallaght.