by Pam Bromley, Lancashire Unison Steward and Labour Link Officer, Unison North West International Committee
This year’s Unison National Conference and Labour Link Forum showed an increase in simmering anger. In a climate of increased attacks by the Tory government on the pay, job security, working terms and conditions of working people, Unison activists are responding by becoming increasingly forceful and radical in laying the blame not just at the feet of this vicious Tory government, but at the feet of the greed of capitalism, its only concern being the myopic, indecent levels of wealth and power held by the few, at the expense of the many.
Austerity has been used as an excuse to cut back the public sector in favour of privatisation and the creation of immense profits for the few at the expense of public employees and service users. Unison’s support for the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn was re-affirmed and a call made to campaign for the election of a Labour government and a reversal of the inhumane policies of the Tories.
Unison members must be urged to pay their political levy to the Labour Party. A call was made for more members to come forward to stand as councillors to fight the cuts and to implement the next Labour’s policies of investment in public services. Despite a plethora of anti-union legislation and a relatively quiet period in large scale industrial activity it was noted that there had been a number of successes amongst small but determined groups of workers who had organised themselves into trade unions.
The lack of young members was noted, but this will change as young people re-learn the need for workplace trade unionism. Unison has now been declared the largest public UK union. We must harness the power given to us by the size of our union, flex our muscles, and unite as workers to defend our working and living conditions.
Repeal and anti-trade union legislation
Resolutions were passed on many issues, including core issues such as repeal of all anti-trade trade union measures enacted since 1971; political and trade union education; to tackle cuts in policing, the privatisation of the probation service and mental health provision, all of which affect our safety; homelessness; to reverse cuts in local government spending and the need to be ‘election ready’; the severe crisis in social care; reducing the retirement age of ambulance workers; bus services, hate crime; affordable child care; rape; period poverty; equal pay and human rights.
Resolutions concerning equal rights always feature heavily in Unison, and measures to empower women in the workplace were prominent, such as bullying, sexual harassment, and the recognition of the particular challenges of the menopause. The incredible diversity of Unison members was reflected, particularly relating to black and LGBT+ members. Delegates discussed the incipient cancer of racism and scapegoating, particularly the Windrush and anti-Muslim rhetoric which has increased dramatically as a result of Tory Austerity.
Brexit was not forgotten. The leader of the European Parliamentary Labour Party, MEP Richard Corbett, recognised in his speech the divisive nature of Brexit, and talked about the new Labour option of a new referendum concerning the terms of Brexit, with an additional option to remain if none of the options are satisfactory. It was sobering to be told that the entire European National Debt could be paid off if the rich paid their taxes instead of storing it in offshore bank accounts.
Unison members demonstrated their solidarity with trade unionists abroad with a variety of enthusiastic and well received fringe events. The repressive regime in Turkey must be fought, the USA blockade of Cuba condemned, and the tragic human rights abuses in Palestine made known to all.
Together, with international solidarity, the workers have nothing to lose but their chains. We have the power to unite and stand as one to fight the sickness of global capitalism, and bring in the bright new day of socialism.
July 29, 2019
