Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Thursday September 16, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: TUC delegates have united behind postal workers' fight against the government's politically motivated plans for a full-scale privatisation of the Royal Mail.
Communication Workers Union deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the union had launched local campaigns targeting vulnerable coalition MPs to persuade them to vote against the looming privatisation Bill or lose their vote at the next election.
It has drawn up a "hit list" of 71 Lib Dem and Tory MPs in seats where Labour is second with less than a 10 per cent swing away from winning.
"We will need your full support to execute this strategy," Mr Ward told delegates in Manchester.
The CWU motion, passed unanimously by delegates on the final day of Congress, followed the publication of Richard Hooper's updated report on the postal services sector last Friday.
Mr Ward dismissed the report yesterday as "a match-fixer" for a government hell-bent on privatisation.
He said: "It's not independent and talks down the prospect of the postal industry to justify the government's predetermined position.
"The Royal Mail is set up to fail as competitors have taken 60 per cent of its profitable business."
Mr Ward warned that privatisation would spell the end of universal postal access in Britain, cause the closure of hundreds of post offices and mean thousands more job losses.
A total of 62,000 postal jobs have disappeared in the past eight years and communities up and down the country have been fighting to keep their local post office open.
"We don't need privatisation to tackle issues of regulation and pensions," Mr Ward argued, adding: "Royal Mail has a fully funded, successful modernisation programme and the stability of a three-year agreement with the union and workforce."
Supporting the motion, Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke warned that TNT was keen to buy up Royal Mail.
"This is a company that threatened our members that, if they did not accept a 10 per cent pay cut, there would be mass job losses," he stressed as a sign of what could be in store for the future of postal workers and the service.
"This is an attack on our public services and we will resist it," he vowed to cheers.
TUC Congress snubs King speech
Louise Noustrapour & John Millington in Manchester
Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Morning Star
Bank of England governor Mervin King struggled to justify Con-Dem austerity measures in front of the TUC Congress as delegates protested with placards, T-shirts and even walkouts.
Delivering his much-anticipated speech amid a hive of media activity and visible shows of dissent from some delegates, Mr King insisted that savage cuts facing workers amounted to "a more gradual fiscal tightening than in some other counties."
The entire RMT transport union delegation walked out in protest as the governor took to the Congress rostrum.
Reps for teaching union UCU wore T-shirts emblazed with "Make the Bankers Pay" and were joined by several delegates waving "No CONDEM Cuts" placards.
Although Mr King insisted that he understood the anger of workers losing their jobs, he attempted to shift blame onto the former "Soviet empire" as it entered the world capitalist economy and emerging economies such as China for running up high trade deficits.
"Such massive imbalances were never likely to be sustainable," he declared.
Despite the unprecedented capitalist crisis Mr King added: "To my mind a market economy and its disciplines offer the best way of raising living standards."
He went on to claim that there was "no alternative" to the spending cuts, despite voices within the Establishment warning of a double-dip recession.
He ignored the TUC's alternative economic proposals for investment in productive industries to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
However he did appear to sympathise with demands for a crackdown on tax evasion by companies and wealthy individuals who cost the Treasury up to £160bn - more than enough to wipe out the deficit.
During a brief Q&A, PCS president Janice Godrich asked for Mr King's views on whether more should be done to close tax loopholes and pursue "criminals" engaged in tax evasion.
Mr King responded: "I hear your points and they seem persuasive."
He also admitted that the huge banking bailout was "unfair," but rejected the union movement's call for direct control of those banks to curb bonuses and divert profits back into the public purse.
Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke was left unimpressed by Mr King's speech, pointing out that the Congress had passed numerous resolutions for sustainable growth and job creation.
"If these cuts continue over the next five years, we will be in double-dip recession," he warned.
"We have to make sure that this crisis never happens again. The Bank of England has a duty and role to rein in excessive bonuses."
"I would like to have seen him say more about manufacturing as there is a lot more unemployment coming in the pipeline."
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "The truth is that he presided over the Bank of England and he never spoke out when he should have done.
"He failed us."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow, who boycotted the speech, said: "RMT delegates want to hear from the people suffering from this economic crisis, not waste time being lectured by the people who created it."
Left Economics Advisory Panel co-ordinator Andrew Fisher said of Mr King's pro-cut comments: "The only way to cut the deficit sustainably is to grow the economy - and that means investment in the public sector, not cuts.
"The £120 billion tax gap must now be a priority for the coalition government in place of devastating public sector cuts"
Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Morning Star
Bank of England governor Mervin King struggled to justify Con-Dem austerity measures in front of the TUC Congress as delegates protested with placards, T-shirts and even walkouts.
Delivering his much-anticipated speech amid a hive of media activity and visible shows of dissent from some delegates, Mr King insisted that savage cuts facing workers amounted to "a more gradual fiscal tightening than in some other counties."
The entire RMT transport union delegation walked out in protest as the governor took to the Congress rostrum.
Reps for teaching union UCU wore T-shirts emblazed with "Make the Bankers Pay" and were joined by several delegates waving "No CONDEM Cuts" placards.
Although Mr King insisted that he understood the anger of workers losing their jobs, he attempted to shift blame onto the former "Soviet empire" as it entered the world capitalist economy and emerging economies such as China for running up high trade deficits.
"Such massive imbalances were never likely to be sustainable," he declared.
Despite the unprecedented capitalist crisis Mr King added: "To my mind a market economy and its disciplines offer the best way of raising living standards."
He went on to claim that there was "no alternative" to the spending cuts, despite voices within the Establishment warning of a double-dip recession.
He ignored the TUC's alternative economic proposals for investment in productive industries to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
However he did appear to sympathise with demands for a crackdown on tax evasion by companies and wealthy individuals who cost the Treasury up to £160bn - more than enough to wipe out the deficit.
During a brief Q&A, PCS president Janice Godrich asked for Mr King's views on whether more should be done to close tax loopholes and pursue "criminals" engaged in tax evasion.
Mr King responded: "I hear your points and they seem persuasive."
He also admitted that the huge banking bailout was "unfair," but rejected the union movement's call for direct control of those banks to curb bonuses and divert profits back into the public purse.
Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke was left unimpressed by Mr King's speech, pointing out that the Congress had passed numerous resolutions for sustainable growth and job creation.
"If these cuts continue over the next five years, we will be in double-dip recession," he warned.
"We have to make sure that this crisis never happens again. The Bank of England has a duty and role to rein in excessive bonuses."
"I would like to have seen him say more about manufacturing as there is a lot more unemployment coming in the pipeline."
GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said: "The truth is that he presided over the Bank of England and he never spoke out when he should have done.
"He failed us."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow, who boycotted the speech, said: "RMT delegates want to hear from the people suffering from this economic crisis, not waste time being lectured by the people who created it."
Left Economics Advisory Panel co-ordinator Andrew Fisher said of Mr King's pro-cut comments: "The only way to cut the deficit sustainably is to grow the economy - and that means investment in the public sector, not cuts.
"The £120 billion tax gap must now be a priority for the coalition government in place of devastating public sector cuts"
TUC supports push for 1m green jobs
Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: TUC delegates have set out a working-class agenda to tackle the dual scourge of unemployment and climate change by investing in high-quality green jobs.
Congress threw its weight behind the One Million Green Jobs campaign already supported by a range of unions including the CWU, RMT, TSSA, NUT and UCU as well as the Vestas workers and several NGOs.
The campaign, launched last year, details how a million public-sector jobs can be created through investment in green manufacturing, energy-efficient house-building and a fully integrated public transport system.
By putting sustainability and the planet's health before profits Britain could grow its way out of the economic crisis without punishing the poor, delegates argued.
CWU delegate Tony Kearns said that the ambitious goals outlined in the campaign pamphlet were not a "flight of fancy" but could be achieved if Britain was serious about tackling rising unemployment and led the fight against climate change.
"These are jobs that actually need doing today - investing in alternative energy, building homes, reopening rail networks and developing safe cycle lanes," he told delegates in Manchester.
PCS delegate Adam Khalif said that his union planned to create a network of green branch reps to encourage activism among members.
"We must build on the magnificent Vestas workers' struggle and start a debate about how we can defend members' jobs and conditions while protecting the planet we live in," he urged.
"The fight for jobs is the same fight against climate change."
The government was accused of failing to address the pressing issue by delaying key decisions that would ensure "a secure and balanced" low-carbon economy for Britain.
Prospect delegate Sue Ferns, who moved the unanimously passed motion on climate change, said: "We can't simply rely on the market to cut CO2 emissions."
National Union of Mineworkers vice-president Nicky Wilson moved a motion on green coal.
He called for immediate plans to replace coal-fired power stations with new carbon capture and storage plants.
"It is a scandal that Britain, despite capability of being self-sufficient, imports 60 per cent of its coal consumption," he said.
"With the right technology and investment, Britain's coal can be the most efficient, productive and safe industry in the world - and the greenest."
Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: TUC delegates have set out a working-class agenda to tackle the dual scourge of unemployment and climate change by investing in high-quality green jobs.
Congress threw its weight behind the One Million Green Jobs campaign already supported by a range of unions including the CWU, RMT, TSSA, NUT and UCU as well as the Vestas workers and several NGOs.
The campaign, launched last year, details how a million public-sector jobs can be created through investment in green manufacturing, energy-efficient house-building and a fully integrated public transport system.
By putting sustainability and the planet's health before profits Britain could grow its way out of the economic crisis without punishing the poor, delegates argued.
CWU delegate Tony Kearns said that the ambitious goals outlined in the campaign pamphlet were not a "flight of fancy" but could be achieved if Britain was serious about tackling rising unemployment and led the fight against climate change.
"These are jobs that actually need doing today - investing in alternative energy, building homes, reopening rail networks and developing safe cycle lanes," he told delegates in Manchester.
PCS delegate Adam Khalif said that his union planned to create a network of green branch reps to encourage activism among members.
"We must build on the magnificent Vestas workers' struggle and start a debate about how we can defend members' jobs and conditions while protecting the planet we live in," he urged.
"The fight for jobs is the same fight against climate change."
The government was accused of failing to address the pressing issue by delaying key decisions that would ensure "a secure and balanced" low-carbon economy for Britain.
Prospect delegate Sue Ferns, who moved the unanimously passed motion on climate change, said: "We can't simply rely on the market to cut CO2 emissions."
National Union of Mineworkers vice-president Nicky Wilson moved a motion on green coal.
He called for immediate plans to replace coal-fired power stations with new carbon capture and storage plants.
"It is a scandal that Britain, despite capability of being self-sufficient, imports 60 per cent of its coal consumption," he said.
"With the right technology and investment, Britain's coal can be the most efficient, productive and safe industry in the world - and the greenest."
Teachers warn of 'apartheid'
Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: Education Secretary Michael Gove's push for academies and so-called free schools will lead to "educational apartheid" and deepen class divisions, the TUC Congress has warned.
During a debate on education on Tuesday delegates declared unanimous opposition to the Tory's piece-meal privatisation of state schools.
National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower said the motion "spells out our opposition to the fragmentation and privatisation of our education service and our support for a state-funded and democratically accountable education service."
NASUWT delegate Paula Roe stressed that so-called free schools were "not free at all. They cost more and deliver less than state schools."
She warned that the plans would lead to "educational apartheid," adding that recent joint campaigns by unions, community activists and parents had shown "co-ordinated action can challenge the government."
The anti-academies campaign sabotaged Mr Gove's plan to get "thousands" of schools to reopen as academies following his hasty legislation to encourage head teachers to apply for the status.
Only 32 reopened as academies this year.
Other speakers warned that academies and free schools - which are publicly funded and privately run - drained already scarce funding from local schools and higher education colleges.
And Lawrence Hunt of Ucatt said thousands of construction jobs and vital apprenticeship opportunities had been lost due to Mr Gove's decision to scrap the previous Labour government's multimillion-pound school-building programme.
Unite delegate Dave Mathieson warned: "The severe attack on our comprehensive education system will reinforce class divisions and social segregation."
Wednesday September 15, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: Education Secretary Michael Gove's push for academies and so-called free schools will lead to "educational apartheid" and deepen class divisions, the TUC Congress has warned.
During a debate on education on Tuesday delegates declared unanimous opposition to the Tory's piece-meal privatisation of state schools.
National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower said the motion "spells out our opposition to the fragmentation and privatisation of our education service and our support for a state-funded and democratically accountable education service."
NASUWT delegate Paula Roe stressed that so-called free schools were "not free at all. They cost more and deliver less than state schools."
She warned that the plans would lead to "educational apartheid," adding that recent joint campaigns by unions, community activists and parents had shown "co-ordinated action can challenge the government."
The anti-academies campaign sabotaged Mr Gove's plan to get "thousands" of schools to reopen as academies following his hasty legislation to encourage head teachers to apply for the status.
Only 32 reopened as academies this year.
Other speakers warned that academies and free schools - which are publicly funded and privately run - drained already scarce funding from local schools and higher education colleges.
And Lawrence Hunt of Ucatt said thousands of construction jobs and vital apprenticeship opportunities had been lost due to Mr Gove's decision to scrap the previous Labour government's multimillion-pound school-building programme.
Unite delegate Dave Mathieson warned: "The severe attack on our comprehensive education system will reinforce class divisions and social segregation."
NHS white paper savaged
Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Tuesday September 14, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: THE government is gambling with the nation's health and taxpayers' money by pressing ahead with plans to rip the NHS apart, TUC delegates have warned.
The NHS white paper heralds the biggest shake-up the service has ever seen and if not resisted could spell the end of publicly-owned free health-care in Britain.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy delegate Lesley Mercer told Congress in Manchester that the proposed changes - estimated to cost £3 billion - had made the future of the NHS "more uncertain than any time since its foundation in 1948."
Moving a motion instructing Congress to challenge the changes, she said that the "eye-watering" cuts represented "the biggest gamble with this nation's health and taxpayers' money.
"It's equivalent to floating the NHS on the stock market and see what happens.
"As the role of the state shrinks to 'light-touch regulator,' the service might even be scrapped altogether - what you can afford will dictate the quality of care you get."
Ms Mercer, whose motion was passed unanimously, called on the TUC to challenge the proposals "legislatively" and by organising joint campaigns with staff and patients.
She added that the public wanted a "publicly funded, publicly provided and publicly accountable service."
The NHS has been ordered to find up to £20bn in savings over the next few years, contrary to David Cameron's pre-election pledge to ring-fence it.
"This was a blatant lie," Unite delegate Joyce Still said, also questioning whether the Tory premier would fulfil his other much-vaunted pre-election promise of 4,000 extra health visitors.
Ms Still rejected the government's divide between frontline and other NHS staff, insisting: "All NHS workers are frontline staff and they are already seeing the impact of cuts and loss of vital jobs.
"Privatisation, cuts and the race to the bottom in pay and conditions will destroy our NHS."
Unison has already launched legal action against Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's refusal to consult the public and staff on proposals contained in the white paper.
The Green Party also passed a motion at its annual conference last week vowing to campaign against Con-Dem plans for a fully-privatised "Tesco-style" health service.
Tuesday September 14, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: THE government is gambling with the nation's health and taxpayers' money by pressing ahead with plans to rip the NHS apart, TUC delegates have warned.
The NHS white paper heralds the biggest shake-up the service has ever seen and if not resisted could spell the end of publicly-owned free health-care in Britain.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy delegate Lesley Mercer told Congress in Manchester that the proposed changes - estimated to cost £3 billion - had made the future of the NHS "more uncertain than any time since its foundation in 1948."
Moving a motion instructing Congress to challenge the changes, she said that the "eye-watering" cuts represented "the biggest gamble with this nation's health and taxpayers' money.
"It's equivalent to floating the NHS on the stock market and see what happens.
"As the role of the state shrinks to 'light-touch regulator,' the service might even be scrapped altogether - what you can afford will dictate the quality of care you get."
Ms Mercer, whose motion was passed unanimously, called on the TUC to challenge the proposals "legislatively" and by organising joint campaigns with staff and patients.
She added that the public wanted a "publicly funded, publicly provided and publicly accountable service."
The NHS has been ordered to find up to £20bn in savings over the next few years, contrary to David Cameron's pre-election pledge to ring-fence it.
"This was a blatant lie," Unite delegate Joyce Still said, also questioning whether the Tory premier would fulfil his other much-vaunted pre-election promise of 4,000 extra health visitors.
Ms Still rejected the government's divide between frontline and other NHS staff, insisting: "All NHS workers are frontline staff and they are already seeing the impact of cuts and loss of vital jobs.
"Privatisation, cuts and the race to the bottom in pay and conditions will destroy our NHS."
Unison has already launched legal action against Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's refusal to consult the public and staff on proposals contained in the white paper.
The Green Party also passed a motion at its annual conference last week vowing to campaign against Con-Dem plans for a fully-privatised "Tesco-style" health service.
TUC pledges support for women workers
Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Tuesday September 14, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: GOVERNMENT attacks on women and their hard-won rights are "plain criminal" and will be resisted through joint union action, TUC delegates have vowed.
They claimed government departments were breaching equality laws by "conveniently forgetting" equality impact assessments (EIAs) when slashing budgets and jobs.
The tests are vital in ensuring new policies do not discriminate against women, black and ethnic minority, LGBT and disabled workers.
"Many higher education institutions are rife with inequality and unfair treatment," Alan Whittaker of teaching union UCU told conference.
"EIAs are a powerful collective tool for unions and the TUC needs to co-ordinate campaigns to protect and enforce them," he said.
Other speakers warned the cuts would disproportionately impact on women, who make up a majority of public-sector workers and users.
More than 70 per cent of the cuts will affect women, who are already paid up to 40 per cent less than their male counterparts.
Equality group the Fawcett Society is challenging the Con-Dem budget in the High Court following the Treasury's failure to provide evidence of EIAs.
Sue Bond of public-sector union PCS warned that the cuts would lead to "the deepest level of inequality in a generation" and called for joint action to stop the rolling back of hard-won rights.
Many of those rights gained under Labour are now under attack from the coalition, which has already slashed pregnancy grants, Sure Start nurseries, and funding to combat domestic violence.
Ms Bond reported that the Equality and Human Rights Commission budget would be slashed by more than half.
"This is plain criminal and must be resisted," she declared.
Delegates also condemned the new Equality Act being phased in from next month which seeks to dilute equality responsibilities by employers and deny equality reps statutory rights.
Moving a motion on behalf of the TUC Women's Conference, Unison's Clare Williams called for an organised fightback.
"Women will not pay the price of an economic crisis created by the corporate elite dominated by men," she said.
Tuesday September 14, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: GOVERNMENT attacks on women and their hard-won rights are "plain criminal" and will be resisted through joint union action, TUC delegates have vowed.
They claimed government departments were breaching equality laws by "conveniently forgetting" equality impact assessments (EIAs) when slashing budgets and jobs.
The tests are vital in ensuring new policies do not discriminate against women, black and ethnic minority, LGBT and disabled workers.
"Many higher education institutions are rife with inequality and unfair treatment," Alan Whittaker of teaching union UCU told conference.
"EIAs are a powerful collective tool for unions and the TUC needs to co-ordinate campaigns to protect and enforce them," he said.
Other speakers warned the cuts would disproportionately impact on women, who make up a majority of public-sector workers and users.
More than 70 per cent of the cuts will affect women, who are already paid up to 40 per cent less than their male counterparts.
Equality group the Fawcett Society is challenging the Con-Dem budget in the High Court following the Treasury's failure to provide evidence of EIAs.
Sue Bond of public-sector union PCS warned that the cuts would lead to "the deepest level of inequality in a generation" and called for joint action to stop the rolling back of hard-won rights.
Many of those rights gained under Labour are now under attack from the coalition, which has already slashed pregnancy grants, Sure Start nurseries, and funding to combat domestic violence.
Ms Bond reported that the Equality and Human Rights Commission budget would be slashed by more than half.
"This is plain criminal and must be resisted," she declared.
Delegates also condemned the new Equality Act being phased in from next month which seeks to dilute equality responsibilities by employers and deny equality reps statutory rights.
Moving a motion on behalf of the TUC Women's Conference, Unison's Clare Williams called for an organised fightback.
"Women will not pay the price of an economic crisis created by the corporate elite dominated by men," she said.
TUC urged to back debt cancellation
Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Tuesday September 14, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: TUC affiliates have been urged to join campaigns for Haiti's national debt to be cancelled following the disastrous earthquake in January which killed more than 200,000 people.
The country is struggling with 1.3 million people still homeless and hundreds of thousands of children left orphaned as authorities attempt to slow the spread of disease without a proper health structure and amid a collapsed infrastructure.
Presenting a motion from the black workers conference Micky Nicholas called on delegates to support a Jubilee Campaign demand for Haiti's debts to be cancelled.
He added: "I hope affiliated unions encourage branches to continue to send aid to Haiti. They need to know that we stand in solidarity with them."
Unite delegate Alexis Chase argued that if the country had had the resources for better infrastructure and a properly funded health service the disaster would not have killed so many.
She added: "We should look to countries like Cuba and Venezuela who were the first to arrive in Haiti after the disaster and are doing a good job in flood-stricken Pakistan."
In a separate motion, TUC delegates reaffirmed their support for the people of Vietnam and their "incredible" achievements in rebuilding their country after defeating the US 35 years ago.
Tuesday September 14, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: TUC affiliates have been urged to join campaigns for Haiti's national debt to be cancelled following the disastrous earthquake in January which killed more than 200,000 people.
The country is struggling with 1.3 million people still homeless and hundreds of thousands of children left orphaned as authorities attempt to slow the spread of disease without a proper health structure and amid a collapsed infrastructure.
Presenting a motion from the black workers conference Micky Nicholas called on delegates to support a Jubilee Campaign demand for Haiti's debts to be cancelled.
He added: "I hope affiliated unions encourage branches to continue to send aid to Haiti. They need to know that we stand in solidarity with them."
Unite delegate Alexis Chase argued that if the country had had the resources for better infrastructure and a properly funded health service the disaster would not have killed so many.
She added: "We should look to countries like Cuba and Venezuela who were the first to arrive in Haiti after the disaster and are doing a good job in flood-stricken Pakistan."
In a separate motion, TUC delegates reaffirmed their support for the people of Vietnam and their "incredible" achievements in rebuilding their country after defeating the US 35 years ago.
TUC kicks off with clear message to Con-Dems: No Cuts
Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Monday September 13, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: THE spectre of nationwide resistance is haunting the Con-Dem axemen after TUC delegates from across Britain returned to the birthplace of the movement to organise joint action against the cuts.
The right-wing media were hard-pressed to find the hoped-for cracks in the movement as one union leader after another stepped onto the Congress platform to declare unequivocal support for co-ordinated industrial action across all sectors.
In his opening speech to delegates in Manchester, TUC leader Brendan Barber attacked the "demolition government" and said it was "time for us to build a diverse, dynamic and progressive alliance for change - a coalition against cuts."
There was a consensus among delegates that it was vital to build "progressive alliances" with service users, community activists and charities to bolster public support for action.
Congress rejected claims that public-sector cuts were necessary, arguing that the TUC's alternative proposals for progressive taxation and investment in manufacturing and other productive industry would wipe out the deficit, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
The emergency Budget would cost over a million jobs, drag the economy into depression, increase inequality, hammer women and children, turn the NHS into a mere logo and "rip the heart" out of Britain's welfare system, it declared.
Moving a composite motion on defending public services, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis vowed to build alliances with charities and local groups, and "move to co-ordinate industrial action" to defend services.
"The coalition is taking a chainsaw to our services, hoping no-one will notice the amount we lose every year in tax evasion and avoidance by big corporations - more than enough to wipe out the deficit at a stroke," he said.
"If there is money available to bail out banks, if there is money for war, for Trident, there's money for our public services."
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail warned that women were in the firing line.
"Seventy-two per cent of the cuts will hit their income as they make up 65 per cent of public-sector workers. It will set back by decades the already unacceptable gender pay gap."
FBU leader Matt Wrack said: "This is a Cabinet of millionaires who do not need or use public services and therefore don't care a hoot about them."
GMB national secretary Brian Strutton reported that his union would "begin preparation for national industrial action next month," while Unison and PCS have already teamed up for co-ordinated action.
PCS leader Mark Serwotka said tax evasion cost the Treasury £120 billion and added: "There is no need for a single job cut or a single penny cut in public-sector spending."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "We can pass all the resolutions we want but, ultimately, we either lay down or stand up and fight."
The composite motion was passed by all but one of the 700 delegates - Balpa leader Jim McAuslan, who insisted it was wrong to say that "not a penny" needed to be cut and that the "tone" of the debate would not resonate well outside the conference hall.
Monday September 13, 2010
The Morning Star
TUC Congress: THE spectre of nationwide resistance is haunting the Con-Dem axemen after TUC delegates from across Britain returned to the birthplace of the movement to organise joint action against the cuts.
The right-wing media were hard-pressed to find the hoped-for cracks in the movement as one union leader after another stepped onto the Congress platform to declare unequivocal support for co-ordinated industrial action across all sectors.
In his opening speech to delegates in Manchester, TUC leader Brendan Barber attacked the "demolition government" and said it was "time for us to build a diverse, dynamic and progressive alliance for change - a coalition against cuts."
There was a consensus among delegates that it was vital to build "progressive alliances" with service users, community activists and charities to bolster public support for action.
Congress rejected claims that public-sector cuts were necessary, arguing that the TUC's alternative proposals for progressive taxation and investment in manufacturing and other productive industry would wipe out the deficit, create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
The emergency Budget would cost over a million jobs, drag the economy into depression, increase inequality, hammer women and children, turn the NHS into a mere logo and "rip the heart" out of Britain's welfare system, it declared.
Moving a composite motion on defending public services, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis vowed to build alliances with charities and local groups, and "move to co-ordinate industrial action" to defend services.
"The coalition is taking a chainsaw to our services, hoping no-one will notice the amount we lose every year in tax evasion and avoidance by big corporations - more than enough to wipe out the deficit at a stroke," he said.
"If there is money available to bail out banks, if there is money for war, for Trident, there's money for our public services."
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail warned that women were in the firing line.
"Seventy-two per cent of the cuts will hit their income as they make up 65 per cent of public-sector workers. It will set back by decades the already unacceptable gender pay gap."
FBU leader Matt Wrack said: "This is a Cabinet of millionaires who do not need or use public services and therefore don't care a hoot about them."
GMB national secretary Brian Strutton reported that his union would "begin preparation for national industrial action next month," while Unison and PCS have already teamed up for co-ordinated action.
PCS leader Mark Serwotka said tax evasion cost the Treasury £120 billion and added: "There is no need for a single job cut or a single penny cut in public-sector spending."
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "We can pass all the resolutions we want but, ultimately, we either lay down or stand up and fight."
The composite motion was passed by all but one of the 700 delegates - Balpa leader Jim McAuslan, who insisted it was wrong to say that "not a penny" needed to be cut and that the "tone" of the debate would not resonate well outside the conference hall.
Commons craves more war
Louise Nousratpour
Thursday September 09, 2010
The Morning Star
In an unprecedented Commons vote the government rubber-stamped continued war in Afghanistan even as bereaved military families published an open letter demanding Britain's immediate withdrawal.
In a sparsely attended debate that lasted much of the afternoon MPs voted on a motion put forward by the newly established backbench business committee stating: "This house supports the continued deployment of UK armed forces in Afghanistan."
There have been many ministerial statements and Parliament discussions since the invasion in November 2001, but this was the first time a motion was presented to MPs. Even the decision to join the US-led war was taken without a Commons vote.
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP expressed outrage after her amendment arguing for the "swift withdrawal of troops" was not selected for debate by the deputy Commons leader.
"Even though more names were supporting it than two other amendments, my amendment wasn't selected," she told the Star.
Labour MP John McDonnell, who supported Ms Lucas's amendment, said: "The failure to introduce the possibility of peace talks to solve the criminal impasse in Afghanistan confirms this government's addiction to military excess, whatever the cost."
Fellow Labour MP Paul Flynn, who opposed the war, accused ministers and military officers of being "in denial" about it.
"The majority of the public would like to see the troops home before Christmas, and Parliament is not reflecting that," he added.
The latest opinion poll found that 72 per cent of the public believe troops should be withdrawn.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox repeated the government's mantra that a withdrawal now would unleash the terror of "jihadists everywhere" and threaten "our national security"
He also told MPs that "our influence in the region would be severely deminished" if Britain pulled out now.
As Mr Fox sought to justify the continued slaughter in Afghanistan, military families published their letter calling for an immediate withdrawal from the "unwinnable" war.
"This war is not making the world a safer place and not helping the Afghan people. Wounded troops are not being given proper treatment," it read.
"The casualty rate is going up on both sides."
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German has dismissed Commons debate as an attempt by the government to place a democratic fig leaf over the conflict.
She added that a cross-party group of MPs, called Troops Out of Afghanistan, had been set up to bolster the anti-war argument.
Thursday September 09, 2010
The Morning Star
In an unprecedented Commons vote the government rubber-stamped continued war in Afghanistan even as bereaved military families published an open letter demanding Britain's immediate withdrawal.
In a sparsely attended debate that lasted much of the afternoon MPs voted on a motion put forward by the newly established backbench business committee stating: "This house supports the continued deployment of UK armed forces in Afghanistan."
There have been many ministerial statements and Parliament discussions since the invasion in November 2001, but this was the first time a motion was presented to MPs. Even the decision to join the US-led war was taken without a Commons vote.
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas MP expressed outrage after her amendment arguing for the "swift withdrawal of troops" was not selected for debate by the deputy Commons leader.
"Even though more names were supporting it than two other amendments, my amendment wasn't selected," she told the Star.
Labour MP John McDonnell, who supported Ms Lucas's amendment, said: "The failure to introduce the possibility of peace talks to solve the criminal impasse in Afghanistan confirms this government's addiction to military excess, whatever the cost."
Fellow Labour MP Paul Flynn, who opposed the war, accused ministers and military officers of being "in denial" about it.
"The majority of the public would like to see the troops home before Christmas, and Parliament is not reflecting that," he added.
The latest opinion poll found that 72 per cent of the public believe troops should be withdrawn.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox repeated the government's mantra that a withdrawal now would unleash the terror of "jihadists everywhere" and threaten "our national security"
He also told MPs that "our influence in the region would be severely deminished" if Britain pulled out now.
As Mr Fox sought to justify the continued slaughter in Afghanistan, military families published their letter calling for an immediate withdrawal from the "unwinnable" war.
"This war is not making the world a safer place and not helping the Afghan people. Wounded troops are not being given proper treatment," it read.
"The casualty rate is going up on both sides."
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German has dismissed Commons debate as an attempt by the government to place a democratic fig leaf over the conflict.
She added that a cross-party group of MPs, called Troops Out of Afghanistan, had been set up to bolster the anti-war argument.
Unions dismiss Cable moan
Louise Nousratpour
Thursday September 09, 2010
The Morning Star
Union leaders have hit back at Business Secretary Vince Cable's inflammatory remarks in which he accused them of "public posturing" over threats of industrial action on impending spending cuts.
Even as his Tory colleagues sharpen the axe for the looming public-sector cull, Mr Cable insisted that the government was not seeking confrontation with the unions and that he hoped for a "productive working relationship."
Looking ahead at next week's TUC conference, which is expected to see a growing mood for co-ordinated action against the cuts, the Lib-Dem backpedaller claimed that the public would have little patience for talk of industrial action to defend workers' jobs and livelihoods.
He went on to dismiss much of the talk of action over cuts as "public posturing" and singled out "militant" RMT general secretary Bob Crow for criticism in light of the successful London-wide Tube strike on Tuesday.
"Several British public-sector unions are threatening action over cuts, though the extreme rhetoric of Bob Crow - who talks of 'fiscal fascism' - is almost certainly regarded as an embarrassment by leaders of bigger unions," Mr Cable blathered.
A spokesman for civil servants' union PCS, which has teamed up with Unison to co-ordinate action against the looming cuts, declared "full support for Bob and his union."
He added: "We are looking forward to getting together with other unions next week to formulate our response to his government's shameful and unnecessary spending cuts."
Mr Crow said unions would take "no lectures" from Mr Cable, who had "postured his way right into the Cabinet.
"He represents a party that said one thing to the voters before polling day and then immediately leapt into bed with the most right-wing administration since Margaret Thatcher strutted the stage."
Responding to Mr Cable's personal dig, Mr Crow added: "When you use economic power, with the support of your unelected allies in finance and the courts and the rest of the state apparatus, to try and bully and control the working class, that is fiscal fascism in the raw."
Mr Cable made his unsavoury comments in an article in the New Statesman on Thursday and expressed "disappointment" at the withdrawal of his invitation to address the Manchester conference.
This means that next week's gathering will be the first in more than a decade to have no address from a government minister.
Thursday September 09, 2010
The Morning Star
Union leaders have hit back at Business Secretary Vince Cable's inflammatory remarks in which he accused them of "public posturing" over threats of industrial action on impending spending cuts.
Even as his Tory colleagues sharpen the axe for the looming public-sector cull, Mr Cable insisted that the government was not seeking confrontation with the unions and that he hoped for a "productive working relationship."
Looking ahead at next week's TUC conference, which is expected to see a growing mood for co-ordinated action against the cuts, the Lib-Dem backpedaller claimed that the public would have little patience for talk of industrial action to defend workers' jobs and livelihoods.
He went on to dismiss much of the talk of action over cuts as "public posturing" and singled out "militant" RMT general secretary Bob Crow for criticism in light of the successful London-wide Tube strike on Tuesday.
"Several British public-sector unions are threatening action over cuts, though the extreme rhetoric of Bob Crow - who talks of 'fiscal fascism' - is almost certainly regarded as an embarrassment by leaders of bigger unions," Mr Cable blathered.
A spokesman for civil servants' union PCS, which has teamed up with Unison to co-ordinate action against the looming cuts, declared "full support for Bob and his union."
He added: "We are looking forward to getting together with other unions next week to formulate our response to his government's shameful and unnecessary spending cuts."
Mr Crow said unions would take "no lectures" from Mr Cable, who had "postured his way right into the Cabinet.
"He represents a party that said one thing to the voters before polling day and then immediately leapt into bed with the most right-wing administration since Margaret Thatcher strutted the stage."
Responding to Mr Cable's personal dig, Mr Crow added: "When you use economic power, with the support of your unelected allies in finance and the courts and the rest of the state apparatus, to try and bully and control the working class, that is fiscal fascism in the raw."
Mr Cable made his unsavoury comments in an article in the New Statesman on Thursday and expressed "disappointment" at the withdrawal of his invitation to address the Manchester conference.
This means that next week's gathering will be the first in more than a decade to have no address from a government minister.
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