UNISON vowed to defend quality public services and
the public sector workers, to defend trade union rights
and to encourage a fair, inclusive and tolerant society,
drawing together a cohesive political strategy in response
to the Tories’ immediate onslaught and escalation
of attacks on public services and society itself.
Moving an emergency motion on Friday, Jane Carolan,
NEC, said that the union could take some positives from
its campaign in the run up to the general election,
a campaign that was based on the fundamental principles
that this union was founded on – the principles
of social justice and equality.
Jane said, “This union has consistently opposed
the austerity measures imposed on this country since
2010 not because we are tribal, and don’t like
the Tories, but because they reinforce the state of
inequality in this country, shoring up the wealth and
power of the 1% against the 99%.”
She slammed the Tory policies as ones deliberately
designed to change our political climate from an inclusive
one believing that the state should serve its people
to one in which the state is shrunk to desert those
who need it. ”Because that is what is behind the
rhetoric of strivers and skivers. The anti-austerity
measures reject the idea of collective solutions to
problems in favour of everyone standing on their own
two feet.”
“The individual should be responsible for their
own health their own housing educating their children.
That is why the NHS for example is never safe in their
hands. The NHS treats everyone equally regardless of
ability to pay, a principle that offends Tory sensibilities”.
Jane pointed out that the central themes of the UNISON
manifesto were the right ones – fairness - fairness
in pay, fairness in taxation, fairness in the workplace,
campaigning for positive policies for public services,
an alternative based on values.
She noted some success getting the living wage, living
standards and zero hours into the discussion, but the
union hadn’t got very far challenging the Austerity
Agenda. “But we must do better. And to do better
it is right that we take time to review our political
campaigning, our communications both with our members
and the wider community. We need to build coalitions
of support beyond our traditional allies and strengthen
the traditional ones.”
Jane vowed, “We will continue to defend our public
services, and to promote the Anti-Austerity Agenda.
And where branches like Barnet continue their campaign
and industrial action against the sell-off of services,
we will continue to back them 100%. Back them with solidarity,
but also with reserves.”
“And we will oppose in every way, at every level,
the new Tory Anti Trade Union (Bill) that seeks to all
but outlaw trade unionism starting by supporting the
TUC campaign including the lobby of parliament. We need
to build a wide Anti Austerity Campaign!”
“But in building that campaign we need to better
co-ordinate our political strategy with our organising
and industrial work. Co-ordinate, and integrate. Elected
in May 2015, the Tories are now planning how to steal
the next election. We don’t have the luxury of
resting. Deep Breath, Heads Down, UNISON, CHARGE!”
