by Chris McLaughlin
TRADE union leaders are warning Gordon Brown that the Government must change direction and do more to deliver on “bread and butter issues” for those suffering most from the economic crisis. The message that he must choose change or choose defeat at the next election is chorused by union general secretaries in a series of articles for Tribune (see pages 10-17) ahead of next week’s critical TUC Congress in Brighton.
The warnings follows the disclosure at the weekend that Unite joint general secretaries Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley have called directly on Mr Brown to take the unions’ concerns into account and for “change at the highest level”.
And the clamour for more effective policies to help those in greatest need comes after this week’s Government’s package to stimulate the housing market was dismissed as doing little to help poorer families find homes.
Union concerns centre on public sector pay, private finance in the public services, unfair taxation, social housing, and food and fuel prices rises, with criticism that ministers are ineffective.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, writes: “It’s no good saying you feel the pain of the low-paid who are always going to be hit the hardest… do something about it. Don’t tell us that iPods are cheaper – my members cannot eat iPods. Government ministers and the sycophants surrounding them need to wake up and smell the coffee.”
Keith Norman, general secretary of train drivers’ union ASLEF, says there are more union members unable to cope with the rising cost of living and that: “If Labour does not change tack – dramatically and soon – they will soon outnumber Labour voters too.”
Michael Leahy, of the steel and textiles union Community, writes: “Labour needs to discover its ability to address everyday concerns while simultaneously tackling the bigger issues. Neither the future of the party nor the Government can be ensured simply by raising a spectre of the past.”
Billy Hayes, general secretary of the post office workers union CWU, argues: “The fortune of the Government now hangs, not on the leadership issue, but on how it responds to the recession. Implementing measures to protect the vast majority of people is also the best way to attack the Tories.” Yet, he says: “The timidity of ministers is frightening.”
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the white-collar public sector union PCS, calls for greater co-ordinated action by unions this autumn. The PCS , RMT, NUJ and FBU are to launch in Brighton the formation of the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group. He writes: Workers across the country are feeling the pinch and getting angry.”
