Lobby for migrant workers' rights

AMICUS IS organising a rally and lobby of parliament to protest against the exploitation of migrant workers in the UK and the undercutting of union-negotiated agreements on pay and conditions.

The big five unions, the TGWU, UNISON, GMB, CWU and Amicus all supported a private members' bill recently, sponsored by Paul Farrelly MP and a further 115 Labour MPs.

The bill, which would have provided employment protection to migrant workers, was cowardly filibustered by Jimmy Fitzpatrick - minister for Employment Relations and a former FBU official.

John McDonnell, the left candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party, said that the minister's action made him ashamed to be a Labour MP.

It does beg the question though, how long are the big unions going to continue blindly funding New Labour to the tune of millions of pounds of members' money? We should say "lobby, demonstrate and disaffiliate".

Mick Cotter, chair Amicus London United Craft branch.