Militant union leaders to launch general election challenge


BA dispute leaves no doubt – New Labour is dead as vehicle for working class politics

Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition (TUSC) to challenge ‘big business’ parties in general election

Thursday evening will see the launch rally of the newly christened Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition (TUSC).

Leading trade unionists will explain that the Labour Party is dead as a means of advancing the interests of workers and trade unionists and that a political alternative is needed.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary speaks to Vestas wind turbine workers occupying to protest against redundancies, photo RMT television

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary speaks to Vestas wind turbine workers occupying to protest against redundancies, photo RMT television

Speakers will include Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT trade union, Brian Caton, general secretary of the Prison Officers Association, Chris Baugh, assistant general secretary of the PCS trade union and Dave Nellist, former Labour Party MP and Socialist Party councillor.

Bob Crow says “Gordon Brown has supported the management in every industrial dispute since Labour came to power over a decade ago.

“What conclusion should workers and trade unionists draw? We’ve been disenfranchised! There is no party that puts forward a pro-union, pro-worker programme, all we get are cuts, privatisation and deregulation.

“The disgust and disillusionment that people feel for the sleaze-ridden main parties is leaving the door wide-open to the likes of the British National Party.

“Trade unionists have a duty to take a lead in organising a political alternative.”

Strike action is continuing at BA and across the civil service. Ballots for industrial action have been won across the national rail network. Many commentators are anticipating a ‘spring of discontent’. This breakdown in industrial relations can only escalate after the general election, whoever wins, as the ‘axemen’ begin hacking jobs and services in the strongly unionised public sector.

Dave Nellist at National Shop Stewards Network conference 2009, photo Suzanne Beishon

Dave Nellist at National Shop Stewards Network conference 2009, photo Suzanne Beishon

Dave Nellist comments, “it is a myth that the only way to fix the economy is a brutal slashing of jobs and services in the public sector.

“That is the choice that the three main parties have made – parties who act solely in the interests of big business and the bank-ocracy.

“We say there is an alternative. That alternative includes genuine public ownership of the banks, taxing the rich and ending all privatisation plans.”

Rally Details: 7:30pm, Thursday March 25th, Friends Meeting House, Euston, London, NW1 2BJ. Meeting open to the public.
The platform speakers will be available from 6:30pm to speak to journalists, give quotes/interviews and answer questions.
Please contact 07984 027754 to arrange a time.

Press release from TUSC