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“An injury to one is an injury to all”

This militant union slogan has been repeated so often that it has become something of a proverb. Now, our contract colleagues face immediate salary cuts of up to 40%, while established officials are confronted with a phased-in cut of “only” 17.5% by 2011.[if !supportFootnotes][1][endif] Then there are the injustices toward the newly hired colleagues[if !supportFootnotes][2][endif]. Could it be that these three attacks on staff are deliberately planned and coordinated? Like our bosses, once upon a time, Julius Caesar divided Gaul into three parts. The tragic end of that fairy tale left a quarter of the population dead or enslaved and the Roman’s citizens subjected to his personal dictatorship. No one is accusing the Disappointing Authority of genocidal tendencies, but it would be irresponsibly optimistic to proclaim that it respects our human rights and civil liberties perfectly. The EU Constitution promises us some protection against such deep salary cuts. But even if it is ratified, it will need to be interpretted and applied by someone. It is left to us to defend our position in society.

Here are some of things that the A&D-L can offer as its contribution to our general mobilization

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Free advice on the theory and practice of “social” resistance

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Legal and “political” advice

[if !supportLists]· [endif]The use of our press to print and publish information and demands

[if !supportLists]· [endif]The use of our website; within the confines of Luxembourg’s press law, we will publish your contributions, anonymously or with your names. You have only to send us an email.

Here is some encouragement; even under the very difficult conditions of US labour law people find ways to fight back, as the baristas at Starbucks on 36^th and Madison in New York city are showing.[if !supportFootnotes][3][endif] Here in the European Union, we can do it, too.

Michael Ashbrook

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