Suzanne Muna, Unite EC member, personal capacity
The Unite executive met from 7-11 October for the first time under the new Labour government.
At the start of the discussion, the executive agreed that Labour’s election is to be welcomed, but they are at risk of squandering their advantage.
Pressure is being applied by Unite to make sure that industrial investment is made. Unite was instrumental in the Labour government eventually agreeing to relax the fiscal rules in order to borrow to invest, particularly in manufacturing. At the moment there are promises but no money assigned on steel, oil and gas, and energy. Unite had also had an impact by making demands on public sector pay.
Workers’ rights
It was clear that the New Deal for Working People represents a big battleground. There are some good things included but it is too heavily focused on individual rights and there are still too many restrictions on collective bargaining. Employers are still being allowed to refuse access to trade unions. Some critical things that haven’t been won include the lack of a total ban on ‘fire and rehire’ and zero-hour contracts.
I raised that we need to continue holding Labour’s feet to the fire, and also to keep close watch on which of the New Deal pledges have been implemented, of those that are properly measurable. I also noted that the Trades Union Congress (TUC) had agreed a motion, supported by Unite, which concluded: “If the government has not legislated (to implement the new deal for working people) within the first hundred days, a special TUC congress will be called to discuss next steps.”
The Unite leadership’s view is that the introduction of changes to employment and trade union rights satisfies the introduction of legislation. However, as a union we must keep an eye on this and still call for a special congress if needed.
Unite is also demanding that local authority debt should be wiped out. These were the points that Unite had particularly pushed on with Starmer and that had stopped us being able to endorse the manifesto. At Labour Party conference, Unite had led on fighting against cuts to the winter fuel allowance.
It was reported that there is quite a serious threat to occupational pension schemes, that would increase the tax paid when lump sums are drawn down. EC members were warned that if this was proposed, there would be action in almost every sector where Unite is active.
It was also reported the blacklisting inquiry report was due to be published in July but the investigation had uncovered more allegations of collaboration. The report is now expected within eight weeks.
Prepare for struggles
The EC discussed the danger of increased support for Reform. That is why it is so important to continue to make demands of Labour and get ready to fight for them.
General secretary Sharon Graham has been more vocal than many trade union leaders so far under the new government, pointing out shortcomings and making demands. The Socialist Party thinks Unite should go further with demands for nationalisation, such as of steel and at Grangemouth.
This approach is vital in order to prepare our members for the inevitable struggles that are looming in both the private and public sectors. The question of a political voice for workers will also become increasingly unavoidable.
Haringey Labour council ‘behaving like Tories’
Housing maintenance and repair workers at Haringey Labour council have begun an all-out strike over pay. Unite members haven’t had a pay rise in over a decade, leaving them over £6,000 worse off. Unite says the council is wasting a huge amount of resources on subcontractors and agency workers, who are potentially being used to break Unite’s strikes. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a Labour-run council behaving like Tories.”
