The NSSN lobbying the TUC, 7.9.14, photo by P Mason

The NSSN lobbying the TUC, 7.9.14, photo by P Mason   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

NSSN rally: Building pressure for the widest possible coordinated anti-austerity action

Dave Walsh

Linda Taaffe, secretary of the National Shops Steward Network, welcomed over 150 people into a room meant for 100 for a NSSN rally on Sunday 7 September near the conference centre in Liverpool – the city hosting this year’s TUC congress. She reminded the packed room that it was the NSSN rally in Brighton two years earlier which helped to get the POA motion calling for talks on the practicality of organising a general strike on the agenda.

Linda Taaffe addressing the NSSN rally, 7.9.14, photo by P Mason

Linda Taaffe addressing the NSSN rally, 7.9.14, photo by P Mason   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Linda then introduced the first speaker at the meeting, Daren Ireland of the RMT.

Daren paid tribute to former RMT leader Bob Crow and the work he put into the creation of the NSSN. Daren pointed out that privatisation in the rail industry had allowed the owners to drive down pay and introduce zero hour contracts through subcontractors and he added that shipping employers are paying £2.66 an hour to workers registered overseas.

Daren Ireland, NSSN rally, 7.9.14.  , photo P Mason

Daren Ireland, NSSN rally, 7.9.14. , photo P Mason

Daren said that no mainstream political party is offering renationalisation, which is why Bob Crow also helped to create the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).

Chris Baugh, assistant general secretary of PCS, said that NSSN activists must dispel fatalism within the trade union movement, where too many leaders accept the need for cuts and austerity. He reminded everyone of the billions of pounds paid in bonuses to bankers and the obscene profits being made by energy companies. He said that the public know that privatisation doesn’t work and would support the NSSN’s call for the renationalisation of energy, rail and the privatised parts of the NHS.

NSSN rally, Liverpool, 7.9.14, photo by P Mason

NSSN rally, Liverpool, 7.9.14, photo by P Mason   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Chris also reminded the audience that the decision by a number of unions to do a deal with the government after the 30th November 2011 strikes didn’t give workers any respite but emboldened the Tories to go faster and deeper with their austerity attacks.

Dispute updates

Roy Bentham spoke on behalf of the Blacklist Support Group and gave an update on their campaign. He reported that they had made progress, with a number of local authorities giving a commitment not to allow blacklisting companies to bid for contracts. He also said they had won compensation for workers affected by blacklisting and had got them back to work in their industry.

Dave Honeybone speaking, NSSN rally, 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Dave Honeybone speaking, NSSN rally, 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Dave Honeybone spoke from the campaign in Doncaster where care workers have taken 60 days of strike action over pay and conditions. The employers – Care UK – had made a paltry offer to settle the dispute but workers were determined to continue with their campaign until victory.

Napo general secretary Ian Lawrence said that privatisation had failed in every industry and that it was doomed to fail in the probation service. He stressed though that he was determined to build confidence among Napo members that strike action will be effective.

Giving a lead

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the POA, said he was proud to support the NSSN as a grassroots organisation which is growing in numbers and authority. He drew attention to the fact that the Labour Party has made no commitments on pay or pensions and added that workers have won all their previous gains through struggle. He reaffirmed the POA’s tradition of ignoring the anti-trade union laws. He also said that the unions are not just about their members but are there to help build a better society for future generations.

Ronnie Draper, general secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union was scathing about trade union leaders at the TUC who have spoken against a general strike. He said he was proud of his union’s victory against zero hour contracts at Hovis and that the TUC must support his union’s motion to abolish these contracts.

Ronnie Draper speaking, NSSN rally, Liverpool 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Ronnie Draper speaking, NSSN rally, Liverpool 7.9.14, photo P Mason   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Ronnie warned that Ed Miliband had put forward a fudge which would allow employers an easy route around his proposed regulations on zero hours.

Helen Pattison, NSSN rally, 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Helen Pattison, NSSN rally, 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Helen Pattison of Youth Fight for Jobs reported that YFJ is working with the bakers’ union to organise workers in the fast food industry. She said that young people there could not survive on the wages being paid but that young workers in Britain are angry and inspired to fight by the magnificent campaign in the US led by Kshama Sawant which has achieved a $15 an hour minimum wage in Seattle.

Struggle brings results

Tony Mulhearn, NSSN rally, Liverpool 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Tony Mulhearn, NSSN rally, Liverpool 7.9.14, photo P Mason

Tony Mulhearn compared the achievements of the 1980s Militant-led Labour council in Liverpool which resisted Thatcher’s government cuts and forced it to pay £60 million towards the city’s needs, with the present Labour council which is cooperating with the Tories and destroying vital services and jobs. He also criticised local trade union leaders for failing to act against privatisation and cuts. He said the NSSN is a way of rebuilding the shop stewards’ movement which will be vital in building confidence among workers to fight back.

Jane Nellist, a NEC member of the NUT, called on NUT delegates at the conference to put pressure on their leaders to support the strike taking place of the main local authority trade unions on 14 October. She said the 10,000 NUT members who voted for Martin Powell Davies as a candidate for NUT general secretary showed that the appetite for radical left leadership was growing and that NUT members are fed up with the faint hearts.

The NSSN lobbying the TUC, Liverpool 7.9.14, photo by P Mason

The NSSN lobbying the TUC, Liverpool 7.9.14, photo by P Mason   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Finally, national chair of the NSSN Rob Williams called on TUC delegates to work together to build for coordinated strike action and he called on the NUT to support the 14 October strike. He said that the NSSN makes no apology for its call for a 24-hour general strike and that ‘history will not end’ if a Labour government is elected; austerity will continue and the NSSN will redouble its efforts to get workers organised against it. He finished with a rousing call to everyone to go outside and lobby delegates at the congress, calling on them to coordinate a 24-hour general strike.


This version of this article was first posted on the Socialist Party website on 8 September 2014 and may vary slightly from the version subsequently printed in The Socialist.