For a trade union-led national demo
Sheila Caffrey, National Education Union Executive Committee and 2025 congress delegate (personal capacity)
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) brings together hundreds of delegates representing millions of workers from 7-10 September, against the backdrop of a crumbling political status quo.
Parliament is only just back in session, and yet the summer has moved the political scene, with hundreds of thousands of working-class people demanding an end to Starmer’s austerity.
There is a burning desire for change. A change that includes providing affordable homes for all; jobs with decent pay and conditions – with no exceptions for age or employment status; fully funded public services with a halt and reversal to all the austerity cuts that have decimated our communities; and an end to the system that means we now live in a society with more food banks than McDonald’s branches – and people still struggling to know where their next meal is coming from.
There is huge enthusiasm for the idea of a new political alternative, sparked by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s ‘Your Party’ announcement (see pages 6-9). But the over 6 million-strong trade union movement can’t just sit on the sidelines passively. Trade unionists have been holding meetings discussing how the unions themselves can be central to building a new party of the working class, to go hand in hand with the industrial struggles against attacks from the bosses and Starmer’s Labour government.
The trade unions must lead the working-class fightback, and organise the huge anger and desire for change. A starting point would be for the TUC to call a national demonstration against Starmer’s austerity.
Joining the NSSN lobby at the TUC will be a key part of fighting for that – encouraging solidarity between unions, whilst pushing wins amongst rank-and-file trade unionists in the workplace. It will be urging delegates to back the motions calling for a national demo (see page 5).
Mobilised and built for by trade unionists in our branches, workplaces and communities, that could send the threat to Labour that is needed: if you’re not willing to tackle austerity and division in our society, we will take to the streets and picket lines until you are forced to.
As a member of the National Education Union delegation to the conference, I will be encouraging my delegation to take a stand against discrimination and austerity, and to take the actual action that will force Labour to respond to what is needed; and hope other unions will take the same stand to leave the congress with policy to show a trade union movement ready and willing to fight for what is needed.
Join the NSSN Lobby of the TUC
1pm Sunday 7 September – The Old Ship Hotel, BN1 1NP
Confirmed speakers so far: Steve Gillan POA General Secretary, Sarah Woolley BFAWU General Secretary, Mick Whelan ASLEF General Secretary, Ian Lawrence NAPO General Secretary, Steve Wright FBU General Secretary, Unite striking binworkers from Birmingham & Sheffield, Paula Peters DPAC, Rob Williams NSSN Chair
