Socialist Resistance : SR47 - Sept’ber 2007

Trade Unions

Brown-nosing UNISON chiefs take aim … against the left

Veronica Fagan

The priorities of the leadership of public sector union UNISON are all too clear to see. They are interested in cuddling up to Gordon Brown rather than protecting the rights or jobs of their members.

A consultative ballot on local government pay in August delivered an 81 per cent rejection of the 2 per cent pay offer then on the table, clearly indicating members believed it to be a pay cut - not surprisingly given that inflation is running at around 4 per cent.

The employers did come back to the table with an “increased offer” of 2.475 per cent for the overwhelming majority of members, alongside 3.4% for those on the lowest grades. But even the “increase” for the lowest paid is below the rate of inflation.

Despite this, the union seems keen to buy into the deal - trumpeting it as a “breakthrough for the poorest Paid”. The original claim included a 5 per cent rise for those on the lowest grades

All this happens a few weeks after the union expelled Plymouth branch secretary Tony Staunton after twenty-three years of activism in the union. Tony’s expulsion, following six months during which he has been suspended from membership has important implications for the left as a whole.

It was clear from the beginning that the attack on Tony was political in origin, but the panel decision on August 11 made this more explicit. The ruling defined Unison United Left as a factional organisation and suggests that by supporting such a group one is acting against the interests of the union.

In the meantime a ballot has gone ahead amongst UNISON members in health on their “improved” pay offer, which at 2.5 per cent for the majority would again represents a cut in pay for many. But there was no strong recommendation to reject the offer and prepare for industrial action – just a wishy washy comment that this was the best offer likely to be obtained through negotiation alone.

Meanwhile health workers in Manchester have delivered a resounding vote in favour of strike action to defend branch chair Karen Reissmann.

Karen was suspended from her job earlier in the year after speaking out against the transfer of NHS jobs to the voluntary sector. A series of three-day strikes are planned in her defence - but it will be vital for local activists to keep a tight control of the action.

There can be no doubt that many officials would be happy to see the back of Karen - who again has a long term record of organising within the union and speaking out against the leadership where necessary.

At UNISON conference in June, General Secretary Dave Prentis told a cheering hall during the debate on pay: “We will work with our sister unions. We are prepared to fight. We are prepared to strike. We will coordinate action locally and nationally, and we will win.”

What happened? Members’ anger at the pay cuts being imposed by New Labour hasn’t diminished - but the leadership are now showing no stomach for a fight.

Veronica Fagan

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