Investment in services the only way forward
The STUC public service debates saw the launch of a Charter
for Public Services and a radical strategy for tackling
poverty and inequality. UNISON was at the forefront with
Scottish Secretary Matt Smith and National Policy Chair
Jane Carolan leading the way.
Under the banner of ‘Rebuilding Collective Prosperity’,
motions laid out practical ways of protecting services and
building out of the recession. Matt Smith told delegates,
“The provision of decent sustainable accessible and accountable
public services lies at the very heart of our society. Without
them we are all the poorer; with them we can all go forward
with confidence.”
But they were under attack as never before. “Not because
our public services have failed - they have not. Not because
the need has gone away - it is increasing. Not because their
provision cannot be afforded - we are a rich nation.
“They are under threat because of the activities of a few
who probably despise public provision. Who finance their
own needs from the bonuses they extort. Who care little
about accountability and who couldn’t care less about the
needs of others.”
“In passing this today you are helping to set our agenda
for the year ahead and beyond”, said Matt.
“And saying to the people of Scotland that we will not
stand idly by while attempts are made to make the many pay
for the greed and folly of a wealthy few”.
UNISON’s Barbara Fulton added, “Right now, public spending
is the only engine of growth we have. Cutting back now will
jeopardise even the slight recovery we have.
In a masterful speech on tackling inequality and poverty,
Jane Carolan said, “We need to stop believing that there
is no alternative and believe in our own solutions.”
The STUC backed a detailed strategy for a living wage,
tax and benefit reform and a blitz on excessive earnings
and tax avoidance.
“The challenge for trade unions is that we take the words
of this motion off the page, start to believe in them and
act on them”, said Jane.
“As a trade union movement we need to challenge the idea
that our prosperity depends on an unfettered financial sector
that should have died with the banking failures of 2009.
“We need to reassert that our economy has to be run on
the basis of providing for the common good rather than to
feather bed the bankers.
“We need to reassert that our welfare state is not a safety
net that all too often fails those who fall into poverty
but should instead be a comfort blanket that guarantees
real human rights. Like the right to a home. The right to
health. Like a living wage.
“And if we can have a minimum wage commission why not a
maximum wage commission? How many millions can one human
being need?” she asked.
Europe: Jane also backed a campaign to defend union
and employment rights from attacks by EU directives.
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