10.04.1997

Sellout to Labour

Since January Scottish Socialist Alliance members have been active in helping the Unison membership achieve strike action. Successful one-day actions were held on February 10 and again on March 6. Unofficial action was also taken on March 10, when an occupation of the council chambers took place to stop the cuts budget from going through.

Labour councillors were anxious to do a deal with the Unison branch leadership to stave off any further action. A temporary ceasefire has been declared in terms of compulsory redundancies - at least until after the general election. But big concessions have been made by the branch officials under the guise of victories. ‘Alternative employment schemes’ have been set up, through which workers will be redeployed. But there will still be compulsory redundancies, and wages will be cut and working conditions attacked. The Unison leadership is clearly more committed to not pressurising the Labour Party than it is to defending its own members.

Scottish Socialist Alliance Unison members have set up a group to fight for rank and file action across the board. With such organisation the workers can act with or without the branch leadership. As Ritchie Venton, Scottish Militant Labour industrial organiser and SSA member, put it: “There is bitter disappointment among the membership at the actions of the leadership. There is a feeling that they have seriously set back the fight against the council.” But although workers might be feeling deflated, there is still scope for action. Resolutions were passed at the Unison AGM calling for a rolling programme of action, and SSA group members are arguing for a resolution to reaffirm that immediate all-out action will be taken with the first compulsory redundancies and that minimum working guarantees will be met.

The SSA-initiated Save Our Services campaign has also been vital in mobilising resistance in working class communities. Easterhouse, Ladymuir and Westwood community centres are under occupation to prevent closure. SSA candidates standing across Glasgow will be striving to unite these struggles and give them leadership.

Anne Murphy