5 Quick Reasons to Boycott the Water Charges
Channel: Workers Solidarity Movement
Date: 2015-03-02

Reasons not to pay the water charges in April

5 quick reasons to boycott the water bills:
---

1) Basic Commercial Survival
2) Market Corporation Test
3) Solidarity
4) We're Going to Win
and 5) ... a surprise

---
The first Irish Water bills will arrive in April, asking us to pay yet again for our water, in the form of a regressive austerity charge, so that we can hand our water to what is effectively a private company. Boycott is not optional to winning. Here's why you shouldn't pay.

1) Basic Commercial Survival
The main point is that Irish Water Ltd. is a company, it needs money to exist and survive. If our money is Irish Water's blood, a massive enough boycott would be like blocking its arteries, leading to heart attack for the bloated quango. Also, specifically, Irish Water is looking for big private investment. If investors see that a large fraction of us aren't paying they will view Irish Water as a risky, unattractive investment and be scared off, costing Irish Water more vital funding.

2) Market Corporation Test
Irish Water has to pass something called 'The Market Corporation Test'. It's an EU test which means the company has to bring in more than 50% of its revenue from sources other than state subsidy. This will allow it to borrow millions 'off the books' of the national government from the financial markets. A big enough boycott will make Irish Water fail this test and cause chaos for it and the government.

3) Your Fellow People Against the Water Charges
Though hundreds of thousands of us are going to boycott the bills, we're still putting ourselves on the line. Unfortunately, paying your water bill while saying you disagree with Irish Water is not only ineffective, it's stabbing non-payers in the back, most of all those of us who cannot pay.

4) We're Going to Win
It's hard to see how we won't win. After defeating Irish Water, you'll want to be able to say 'I boycotted my Irish Water bill'. Remember, we have strength in numbers, so please: join the boycott.
5) Enda, Joanie, Alan, and Leo Want You to Pay
The whole gang from Fine Gael and Labour would think you're great for paying your Irish Water bill. They'd probably buy you a pint of water for it. The question is, do you want to be pleasing such shady characters.

That was 5 quick reasons to boycott the water bill.

For coverage and analysis of the water charges, and much more, follow the Workers Solidarity Movement on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WorkersSolidarityMovement).