I have just returned to work following the march against Irish ferries. Apparently, over 100,000 people took part, which was a bit of a surprise to me really. One very noticeable aspect to the march was the age profile. Apart from a few student groups, there was a definite absence of young workers - the majority of the protestors were middle-aged and well used to fighting for workers' rights in the past.

So where were all the 20 and 30 somethings, the drivers of this economy as we are often told. I would say most of them were doing just that, 'driving the economy' in their places of work. I would also suggest that the majority of them were more concerned with the venue for tonight's session rather than the current crisis engulfing Irish Ferries.

Our generation have never had to fight for pay increase, most of us have never been on strike, in general our working conditions and pay agreements are excellent. I think it's got to the stage where young workers are completely apathetic to social issues and politics in general. As long as the good times continue to role why would we even care if a few ship workers jobs are getting outsourced ... It couldn't happen to me, I've got a degree and sure they don't even have computers in Latvia!

Published by Padraig.