Comment
submitted by Lorene Fabian, Eastern Region
Unity Gazette, 18 April 2006
I read with interest the recent issue of the Unity Gazette (April
2006). Its articles were, in my opinion extremely relevant. Relevant
to both activists and lay members alike. The introduction “Time
to ring some changes” indicated the fears that most of us
feel in terms of the main political parties hustling over the centre
right ground and therefore offering little alternative and certainly
no progressive vision. From a Labour point of view, showing no imagination
and drive for a fourth term. It was right for the author to point
out the lack of employment rights that exist under Labour in the
UK and make international comparisons. The other failing that it
doesn't mention is the question of Labour honouring its pledge to
restore the link between state pensions and earnings for pensioners.
Unfortunately it appears that labour wish to tinker with the Turner
report, accepting its recommendation to drives retirement age upwards
whilst ignoring the huge surpluses in the National Insurance Fund
that currently stand at over 34 Billion pounds that could be used
right now to restore the link with earnings without hiking up retirement
age.
Steve Davison’s article that begins with an
admirable declaration “the new union will be at the forefront
of supporting workers in struggle nationally and internationally,
through its programme of campaigning and organising” is also
worthy of comment. Worthy because it faces up to the reality of
the so called free market and recognises the shortcomings of globalisation.
For too long politicians have said that workers ‘must roll
with the punches’ and accept what’s on offer, else the
work will go to the lowest bidder, in Korea, India or China. Go
to workers that have even less workers rights than exist in the
UK and probably are persecuted for joining a trade unions. AMICUS
is already affiliated and working with Justice for Colombia, an
organisation that highlights the plight of trade unionists in Colombia
where a trade union activist is likely to be assassinated if she
or he challenges an employer over pay or conditions. In fact over
3,500 trade unionists have been assassinated in Colombia in the
last 15 years, not a single arrest has followed. The para-militaries
are free to roam and butcher with impunity. The Gazette also refers
to Mayday and the importance of the proposed ‘Freedom Bill’.
The activist understands its importance in the same way that they
understood exactly what Thatcher had in mind when she introduced
the anti trade union laws. However the missing piece in the jigsaw
that would square the circle is the role of the TUC, TUC Congress
and all its constituent parts. The TUC is struggling in terms of
membership. In the 1970/80’s membership levels were in excess
of 12 million, with over a hundred unions affiliated. In 2006 there
are only 76 unions with a total of just 6.4 million members. With
membership levels like this no wonder the captains of industry describe
the TUC as little more than a pressure group
AMICUS is not an Island and for us to make the stand
that’s required we need to work with other unions, not simply
the ones that we see our immediate future with, but with others
big and small, diverse across society
Currently unions are being asked to comment on a broad
ranging discussion document that could change the shape of the TUC
and make it more relevant to working people. Or alternatively simply
stay as it is, do nothing and watch the possible demise of the TUC?
In my view AMICUS should grasp the nettle, seize the opportunity
to make the TUC relevant by taking into account the changing working
population, the fact that soon more women will populate the workplace
than men and the many other factors that make up modern day society
AMICUS should insist that the TUC becomes a force
for change, a genuine campaigning body, to campaign for a manufacturing
base in the UK, to campaign for equal pay for work of equal value,
to campaign for safety standards on building sites, to campaign
for workers rights and the right to take on rogue employers like
Friction Dynamics, Gate Gourmet and Cooks Engineering without trade
unions facing sequestration or their members facing the sack.
AMICUS should demand that the TUC change its structures
and make them more relevant, ensuring a place at the table for women
and the ethnic groups that are picked upon by some sections of society.
The debate around the election to the General Council from the equality
conferences will not go away; just as the debate regarding motions
from equality conference to Congress did not go away and was eventually
conceded. This is a healthy debate and Amicus, one of the most important
unions should be inside the arena of debate rather than outside
looking in while other unions dictate the future
We must put true meaning to the phrase “standing
shoulder to shoulder”. The TUC must enter into the true spirit
of democracy rather than paying lip service to it and must become
an inclusive body where unions of all sizes have a voice, are heard
and can therefore play a role commenting on the day to day issues
rather than simply having involvement at Congress. We must use this
opportunity to change the face of the TUC from an exclusive organisation
that some refer to as being more akin to a pressure group. AMICUS
or the new union, whatever we may choose to call it will have 2
million members and hopefully will attract other unions to join
us. But if other others fail to be persuaded lets work with them
under the umbrella of the TUC with a common purpose
In conclusion, I believe there is a disturbing trend
within the British Trade Union and Labour Movement to attack the
equality structures within our unions, to devalue their role and
disregard their influence. On the one hand it is argued that we
don’t really need them anyway that we have come a long way,
it is time to mainstream. Absolutely inaccurate in my view and on
the other hand it is argued by some that because these structures
have not yet delivered all that they could, get rid of them, an
equally disturbing view. To move away from these hard fought for
structures would be foolish in the extreme, it would take the equality
agenda back a hundred years. Equal pay for work of equal value,
good affordable childcare, maternity rights and our fight against
sex discrimination would be off the agenda. If we really believe
that equalities must be at the heart of the new union then this
area must be thoroughly thought through with that in mind, drawing
on the everyday experiences of lay members. On the above basis,
the equality structures in any new union should be enshrined within
the rule book as a testament to those who have gone before us and
a commitment to those who will follow
Lorene Fabian
Eastern Region Amicus Unity Gazette
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