New Derry group aiming to defend tenant's rights

A new Derry activist group has been launched in Derry with the aim of organising to protect local tenants' rights.

Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Derry aims to hit the ground running with a campaign of direct action, following the lead of other CATU branches across Ireland.

A representative of the group said they want landlords and letting agencies in Derry to 'know we are here, and you will hear from us soon'.

“Everyone in Northern Ireland either has had, or knows someone who has had an issue with housing. Everyone deserves to have a safe and suitable place to live and build their lives, and to be free from harassment and illegal practices that are far too common in our society,” they said.

“CATU Derry’s aims are to fight for public housing, oppose profit-led development and everything in between.

“CATU is a community union, therefore we want to create community, create power in working class areas. We want to flip the balance of power that currently exists in society, we want to return power to working class communities in Derry and all across the country.”

CATU Ireland formed in early 2020, just before the pandemic. Since then it has grown to over 1,500 members across Ireland across nearly 20 branches.

Following the lifting of the South's eviction ban CATU Dublin occupied the Department of Housing building with the goal of delivering a letter of demands for tenants’ protection and public housing to Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien.

CATU Ireland recently revealed it is facing a lawsuit after carrying out a campaign against a landlord who allegedly raised rent by 100%.

The CATU Derry representative said the Union is democratic and encouraged anyone interested in organising to get involved.

“We are member led and our focus is direct action. The union is democratically organised holding our AGM each year. Every branch elects a committee to oversee activities in the local area. CATU is similar to a trade union, but we operate on a community basis.

“Being member led, we encourage anyone who has a potential case to join the union, this is because we are building collective power and empowering each other. CATU is not a service based union, nor are we lobbyists. We are very open to the fact we are not an advice service. We are action focused.

“We will provide advice if necessary, but our focus is to turn the issue into action. Anyone is welcome to join the union, except landlords and members of the police force.”

The group will be hosting an event to raise awareness and funds on August 12.

“CATU Derry aims to increase awareness of our presence in the city, and as Derry has an incredible music scene, a fundraiser gig seems like the perfect beginning.

“The event will be hosted in Bennigans’s Bar on Saturday, August 12. It is one of the largest events hosted in Bennigan's, featuring two separate stages and eight bands from Derry, Belfast, Donegal and Dublin. You can buy tickets if you search for CATU Derry on Eventbrite, or follow the links available on the @catuderry Instagram.”

CATU Derry can be joined by emailing your derry@catuireland.org, via the website or by contacting someone you know. The Union asks that members contribute 'the price of a coffee or a pint a month' to help fund its activities.