<<back to articles

Ian McCartney writes for the think tank Unions 21...

I believe passionately in the need for a strong partnership between the unions and a Labour Government. In fact, this relationship has been central to my political views, values and career.

I am also a firm believer in win-win philosophy; the stronger the relationship between unions and the Labour government, the better placed we are to challenge deprivation and social exclusion and provide quality public services across the country.

Our opponents need to show that Labour and the unions are divided and there will be some who think the relationship between the unions and our party is in trouble. Our opponents would like the public to believe that this Government , with union support, will never be able to deliver better public services.

I am convinced that they are wrong. Trade unions are now involved with this government more than at any time in the history of our party; not running the country but working transparently with government on policy development and implementation.

That is not to say this relationship can’t be improved. As with any relationship, you have to keep working at it, to improve it and iron out any difficulties.

But, together over the last six years, this partnership has delivered an agenda of improvements for working people which would have beaten any realistic union wish list from the 80s - whether it’s 1.5 million more people in work, a national minimum wage at last, trade union recognition and enhanced rights at work

I sometimes feel this record is rather ignored - as is the alternative to this Government. It’s not, as some seem to suggest, an utopian, extreme left-wing Government which miraculously has wide public support, but Tory Government committed to dismantling and privatising our public services.

If there is a battle, it should be between what we have now and what we could be faced with. A battle between those who believe in investment in public servicesand those who would cut and abandon public services, like the Conservatives.

In that context I believe we need to see an end to the culture which says of every initiative, every change, every improvement "Well, we welcome that, but……". We need to see an end to the approach which acknowledges what's being done, but doesn't properly value it. We need,also, to see an end to a way of looking at the world in which some trade unionists see themselves as victims, betrayed by the Labour government no matter what we achieve together.

Instead, let's start by acknowledging that we have made great progress And that’s the context in which to view specific policy issues, like the review of employment relations legislation or information and consultation, or the extension of TUPE and the end of the two-tier workforce.

When trade unionists judge this government, they won't do so solely on these kind of issues. They will do so on a much wider progressive agenda of economic stability and full employment, of social justice and real investment in public services. That's the test on which we should be measured.

None of this means we should not be pushed to deliver more, to go further and faster. I believe to achieve this, it’s about time we forged nothing less than a new deal between Government and unions. A new stronger, partnership which addresses not just how we improve our public services and welfare state, but also how Government, Party and the Unions relate to each other and to the individuals and communities they serve.

Government has to recognise that our ambitions for our public services will founder without the help and support of those who work in them. We will make better improvements if we do it in partnership with the unions - drawing upon the skills, experience and commitment of public service workers and giving them the freedom to promote quality and innovation.

I accept, too, that we in Government must improve our communications with public service employees and the wider public. All around us there is evidence of innovation and leadership from front line staff. We should be proud of these achievements and talk up our success, rather than allow others to focus on our differences.

Under a new deal, Government and Unions must both be pragmatic rather than dogmatic. Putting the private sector on a pedestal is as much ideological nonsense as demanding its removal entirely from the delivery of public services. Market-led solutions are simply one means of delivering better public services. So, too, are mutual societies, co-ops and the non-profit making sector.

We must also accept that not all parties will be happy all of the time. That’s the case in all partnerships. But when on occasions, we disagree, we need to ensure we don’t let those whose agenda is very different to ours distort or exaggerate the differences.

But, above all, we must all be clear. This Labour government is pursuing what is by any historical standards a great progressive reforming project. We will not turn our back on the millions of union members that deliver our vital public services and private goods. Together we must find the best way of helping them meet their aspirations not only as employees, but as consumers of public services and as active citizens in their communities.

Nor will we betray those who need a Labour Government most.

Together, we owe it to those in the poorest communities, those beset with the most difficulties that we do not allow any differences to hide the huge area of common ground that unites us and stop the progress they need.

We have a once in our lifetime opportunity, created by historic levels of public investment, to deliver radical change not only for this generation, but also for future generations. The real betrayal would be to throw this away.

<<back to articles