Unions Together

Your questions answered - Week One

08.06.10

What do you see as the role of trade unions in the 21st Century?

Diane Abbott:

In one way the role of trade unions in the 21st century is the same as it was in the 19th century – to represent workers and to pursue their interests. Historically by bringing workers together, the trade union movement was able to empower them in relation to management. But it is also the case that the world has moved on since the setting up of our trade unions. The number of people actually organised in the unions has dropped. In the private sector, only fifteen percent of workers are in a union. There is a rising generation of young people who have no tradition of trade unionism in their family or in the community, who only realise the point of trade unionism when they are in a crisis at work.

So the challenge for trade unions in the 21st century is how do you reach out to those people who do not see the point of the trade union movement, and do not come from communities with a history of trade union activity?

First of all there is a lot that government can do to help and the next Labour leader must commit to doing away with a legal situation where courts can halt strikes on a technicality about the trade union’s ballot.

Also, for too long there have not been any role models in the trade union movement – we need more women and ethnic minority officers and more diversity at the top.

We must prove to potential members what we have to offer them and show that the British trade union movement wants a leadership that looks like Britain.

It is not a coincidence that with the decline in organised trade unionism there has been an increase in inequality. That is why the role of trade unions is as vital as ever.

Ed Balls:

Those who argue that the days of unions are numbered could not be more wrong. The old smokestack industries no longer employ millions. Blue-collar have given way to ‘new-collar’ jobs. Jobs for life have ended. But workers still need to act together to pursue their rights.

 As old demarcations dissolve, unions like Unite, Unison, GMB and Community have widened their scope. But ‘niche unions’ like the teaching and musicians’ unions show members still value individual service.

Today’s workers suffer new forms of insecurity and new pressures as we live longer and must balance family life and work, and global competition is intensifying by the day. Labour also need to respond quicker - we introduced the minimum wage but were too slow to legislate for equal treatment for agency staff.

The union link is as important as ever. We need each other. Unions know the fight for justice cannot end at the factory gate or office door. Labour needs the real time connection with the concerns of millions of working people.

Modern democratic unions must be responsive to the more sophisticated needs of their members, similarly a modern Labour Party must be more responsive to those members. New forms of communication and organising to match more fluid employment and politics are essential across the whole Labour movement. Today’s trade unions must have a political voice arguing for sustainable growth and a fairer society.

With a modern agenda of respect, fair pay and progression, 21st century unions are needed as much as ever before.

 Andy Burnham:

Trade unions, like the Labour Party, have a proud past and a bright future. They are at the heart of the Labour movement and, under my leadership, I want them to be at the heart of the Labour Party too.

The work that union members did during the General Election campaign was tireless, getting Labour candidates elected across the country. That unity, that sense of purpose, that fight for what is good and just inextricably links the Party and the union movement.

The progress made on union learning was one of the big achievements of the Labour Government and I’m really proud of the thousands of opportunities to get on at work that were provided through the union learning fund, by working with the TUC and with trade unions across the country. Under my leadership, I will work with the unions to promote and support projects like this to give people the opportunities that they otherwise may not have.

There were times in the recent past when the Party seemed to put the interests of big business before the interests of individuals. We should be pro-business, but we should never lose sight of ordinary people, those who feel that, despite doing everything right, the odds still feel stacked against them. I want to work with the unions reconnect Labour and put fairness back at the heart of Britain.

 David Miliband:

Unions can play a leading role in shaping the new economy in the aftermath of the financial crisis, and helping Labour reconnect with the voters we have lost.

New economy: Trade unions can be the champions of a more balanced, more equal and more sustainable economy. They stand up for a fair deal for employees, securing improved terms and conditions and being a trusted friend at work. By promoting good work in good workplaces, unions are central to shaping a new era of shared prosperity. Workplaces where employees have a voice and a stake in their firm – who feel trusted, involved, respected and fairly rewarded – are those that will prosper in the new economy. I want to work with unions to ensure we have an economy with fair rewards at the top and the bottom, including through a living wage.

Winning back voters: It was the TUC in their work on the ‘real middle Britain’ back in 2009, who identified those on incomes of £20,000-£30,000 as the group under real economic pressure in the recession. They felt squeezed by stagnant incomes and higher living costs, and insecure about their future prospects. These are precisely the voters Labour lost at the general election. We need to return to the ‘bread and butter’ issues that affect people’s daily lives – jobs, pensions, housing, transport and childcare. in particular, time and money are real pressures for many families. They need an effective partnership between Labour and the trade unions to stand up for them and make their lives better.

Ed Miliband:

Trade unions defend and promote the interests of working people and their role is as important now as it ever was. They are at the heart of the fight against injustices in our society, leading the campaign for some of Labour’s proudest achievements like the minimum wage, stronger parental leave rights and legislation on gangmasters.

It is clear to me not enough people who are employed in the private sector benefit from trade union membership. The future of modern trade unions must be in increasing membership from the current level of less than one in five. That will require union reps having the right to enter non-unionised workplaces to offer membership and organsiation. I would support such a move.

I have seen as energy secretary the way trade unions can organise with other campaigning groups to mobilize people for action on climate change. I have seen green reps make a change in their workplaces helping win the arguments for shifting to a low carbon economy and ensuring working people reap the benefits. This is the kind of effective campaigning - rooted in the working lives of their members, focussed on the challenges of the age, committed to values of social justice - that will make trade unions effective in this century.

As a symbol of the kind of party and kind of country I want to see, I have launched a campaign for the living wage, learning from the efforts of trade unions, which I want party members and others to sign up to.

We need to put our values of equality, social justice, dignity at work, at the heart of what we do. The Labour Party stands for this and so do trade unions. We need to fight for this common purpose and stand up for working people.

Labour Leadership Election: have your say

02.06.10

Today, the team at unionstogether are launching a new part of our website dedicated to making union members’ voices heard in Labour’s Leadership Election.

Over the summer, there’s going to be a crucial debate about the future of our Party, and we’re committed to making sure that the issues and concerns that affect trade union members are on the agenda. From ending poverty pay and improving job security, to celebrating and strengthening the link between the Party and the trade union movement, we’ll be making sure that union members have their say.

We have asked each of the candidates for the leadership to set out their stall to union members: you can read what they have to say here:

Diane Abbott 

 Ed Balls 

 Andy Burnham 

  David Miliband 

 Ed Miliband

And starting this week, every week of the campaign we’ll be putting union members’ questions to the candidates. This week, we’ve asked: ‘what do you see as the role of trade unions in the 21st Century’? Check back next week to see what they have to say. If you have a question you’d like to ask the candidates, email it to helen@unionstogether.org.uk and we’ll ask as many of your questions as we can.

The Labour Party was founded out of the trade union movement over a hundred years ago - together, we'll ensure that unions remain at the heart of the Party. 

Where next for Labour?

27.05.10

Thank you to everyone who turned out and voted Labour on 6 May and campaigned for a Labour Government.

Obviously, we were devastated that Labour lost its majority in Parliament, and that many Labour candidates who were strong supporters of working people lost out.

However, we also know that union campaigners made a real difference in this election. It was down to the hard work of union members supporting Labour candidates that we held on to many seats - and every single Labour MP will make a difference in holding this new coalition government to account.

We're ready to stand up for jobs, workers' rights and public services when the coalition puts them at risk.

Tell us what you want the Labour party to be like? How do we strengthen and renew the party? Tell us here:

http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/wherenext 

We know that the coalition Government has already cut over £6 billion in public spending - putting thousands of jobs at risk. They want to cut many families' tax credits and cancel child trust funds - making life harder for working families. And they've even cancelled funding for 40,000 jobs for young people.

With a coalition programme like that in place, it's crucial that we have a strong, united Labour party that can hold them to account and come back fighting at the next election. That's why the Labour leadership election is so important in debating the future of the party.

We want to hear your thoughts on where next for the party. Share your thoughts with us here:

http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/wherenext

The Labour leadership election is a crucial opportunity to rebuild and renew the party and make sure we're fighting fit for the work ahead. It's a chance for the party to have a healthy debate about the future - and we need to make sure that our voices are heard during it.

Where do you think the Labour party should go from here? How can we organise better? What policies do you want to see candidates for the leadership putting forward? What are the core values that bind us as a Labour party within the wider Labour movement? Share your vision with us, and we'll make sure that it's part of the debate about the future:

http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/wherenext

In these hard economic times, Labour needs to be stronger than ever.

Helen

A lot is at stake for working mums

05.05.10

My name's Su Patel, I work for Sainsburys as a legal compliance officer and I'm a member of USDAW.

I've been a rep for 10 years and a member for 24 years. USDAW has got a lot stronger over the last 10 years, we have got better at demanding improvements - some of these improvements have come too late for me, but my kids will benefit.

I don’t want to go back to the Thatcher era

03.05.10

My Name's Jim Webb, I'm a member of the CWU and a retired cable joiner for BT.  I'm also Chairman of the Chelmsford CLP and a school governor.

I'm campaigning for Labour at this election because if the Conservatives win - we'll go back to the Thatcher era. Having lived through it, I don’t want to go back to it.

 
Last time the Conservatives were in power they attacked the unions, and their biggest weapon was to introduce ballots to stop industrial action. But the unions adapted, and survived.  Now the Conservatives want to go a step further and make unions ballot non-members as well.

As a union member it’s make your mind up time. The Labour government has gone through some rocky patches, but they have generally improved the condition of working people. For example, they've signed up to the social chapter, increased maternity leave and made it compulsory.

At the end of the day, Labour is still the only party that will support the deprived and working man. That’s the people you’ve got to look after – the underprivileged.

Join me in campaigning at the this election:

http://www2.labour.org.uk/volunteer

Jim

Workers’ Memorial Day

30.04.10

This week, the media hype has been all about the debate last night. But Wednesday was also Workers' Memorial Day, when Trade Unions across the country remember those who have died at work and vow to continue fighting for the living.

This year, 1600 people have died at work in Britain, and in too many cases, it was because their employer decided that their safety wasn't a priority. As Johann Hari reminds us in the Independent today - they are people like Michael Adamson, a 26-year-old electrician who went to his job one day and was given a massive electric shock because his employer hadn't bought a £12 piece of safety equipment.

In spite of this, David Cameron wants to take away the weak protections that workers currently enjoy at work. He wants companies to undertake independent safety audits, so they can  "organise their own inspections" - carried out by a team of their choice. Despite UCATT, the construction workers' union, warning that the policy would increase workplace deaths, the Conservatives have confirmed that, if elected, they will press ahead with the plans.

On Tuesday, UCATT were protesting outside Tory HQ. Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “The Conservatives are playing politics with workers’ lives. By privatising safety inspections the Tories are endangering the lives of construction workers."

As is to be expected from the Conservatives, this policy is about putting people before profit.

Last night Gordon Brown said "it's your future on the ballot paper". If Cameron ends up the winner at the ballot box, we'll be the losers at work.

GMB rally in Elmet

29.04.10

A rally took place in the heart of Elmet and Rothwell Constituency on Tuesday night. Colin Burgon the current MP is retiring after almost 30 years in the seat, during which he has remained a staunch GMB member and fighter for GMB policies. It was fitting that at this rally GMB’s general secretary, Paul Kenny paid tribute to Colin and also heartedly supported Colin’s successor James Lewis. There was standing room only and the audience heard inspirational speeches by all 3 followed by question time format which went very well. Immediately after the rally Paul Kenny said:

‘It’s a pleasure to be in the heart of Yorkshire amongst genuine people, this is exactly the spirit we need to retain if we are to win the general election. We only have 9 more days to shape the future of the lives of our members and their families and we need to give it one last push to ensure the return of a Labour government.’

Eddie Izzard joins the Pudsey campaign

26.04.10

Jamie Hanley, fighting to secure Pudsey for Labour was delighted to welcome Eddie Izzard to his campaign on Friday 23rd April. The seat which is apparently on the Tories' hit list has been red since it was won in 1997 by Paul Truswell. Having represented the Constituency as a strong MP since then, Paul is standing down for family reasons. He is hoping to be succeeded by Jamie Hanley who was brought up and lives in the Constituency. Jamie, a trade union solicitor for the past 15 years believes that it would be an honour to represent his local constituency in Parliament.

Although he is defending a majority, Jamie knows he is in for a close run fight. The main opposition was expected to come in the form of former Labour Party member Stuart Andrew, but it is recognised that the "Clegg effect" may also bring Lib Dem Jamie Matthews into the equation. The arrival of Eddie Izzard was a welcome boost to the very hard working and loyal campaign team. Eddie, Jamie and supporters walked from the office to Morrisons in Pudsey, before meeting surprised customers and staff in the store. Eddie delivered a strong message that it was still the same old Tories and said that he was trying to persuade young people to vote, perhaps for the 1st time.

The Tories and the Lib Dems: not worth the risk

23.04.10

Given the fluctuation in the polls since the first debate last week, and the new focus on the Liberal Democrats, it seems appropriate to look at what they really stand for when it comes to union members. In an appearance on ‘Any Questions?’ in late March - on the eve of the British Airways industrial action- Vince Cable, the Lib Dem shadow chancellor, had this exchange with host Jonathan Dimbleby:

Dimleby: If you were elected would consider outlawing industrial action in (the railway and airline) industries?

Cable: Well, you could certainly consider curbing them.

Dimbleby: Curbing them? You mean making them more difficult?

Cable: Yes. Indeed, and there are legislative implications, which has to be thought through.

Dimbleby: Is it the policy of the Liberal Democrats, if you were to have a position in government, to say we should toughen industrial relations law in order to make it more difficult for these unions, rail, air, whatever it might be, to take strike actions?

Cable: Well, if we’re talking about essential public services like the railway system then we should be looking at it, certainly.

What Cable means by "curbing" he leaves to our imaginations. This leads to uncomfortable questions for the Lib Dems about just how 'liberal' they are. If employees at private firms can be classified as essential workers, where does this policy stop?

Of course, this doesn't leave the Tories off the hook either. David Cameron was calling on Gordon Brown to intervene in the BA strikes before they even happened. Throughout the dispute, the Tories demanded that the government should take the side of the company over its employees. In this election, can we really risk giving power to parties that don't support (and in fact campaign against) the rights of working people?

Get involved and stop the Lib Dems and the Tories from getting their hands on the country.

Labour committed to raising National Minimum Wage

13.04.10

In 1997, it was perfectly legal to pay workers £1 an hour. For a hundred years, Labour had campaigned for a national minimum wage to help end poverty pay. In 1999 Labour took the historic step of introducing the National Minimum Wage Act – one of the labour movement’s proudest achievements. For 10 years, the minimum wage has continued to rise, keeping up with inflation, and maintaining the same (or higher) spending power as it had when it was introduced.

The Tories opposed the introduction of the minimum wage, claiming it would be too expensive for businesses, and that jobs would be lost a result. How wrong they were.

Yesterday, when it launched its manifesto for a 4th term, Labour committed itself to doing even more for those earning the least. It announced that it would give the Low Pay Commission the responsibility to raise the minimum wage in line not just with inflation, but with average earnings as well. This would mean greater annual rises in the minimum wage, and a higher wage overall. More than that, they have also pledged that government departments, and those private sector firms contracted by the government, will be expected to pay a living wage of around £7.60 an hour – a pay rise for 200,000 of the lowest paid workers.

Contrast this with the Tories, whose manifesto contains a tax cut for 3000 millionaires, while doing nothing for those hard working people earning the least. They might claim to support the minimum wage now, but they opposed its introduction, and senior Tories have even claimed they will let it “wither on the vine” by making sure it doesn’t keep pace with inflation.

When you put these manifestos side-by-side, it's clear which party is on the side of working people.

Help keep David Cameron and his pals from getting their hands on the country. Join one of our weekends of action taking place across Brtiain.

Read more about Labour's manifesto.