10.10.2001

Getting organised

A rank and file ?Unions Fightback? conference against privatisation, for solidarity and union democracy has been called for Saturday November 3 in London. This statement has been agreed as its basis

Our public services are in decay and disrepair. But the New Labour government is pushing hard for privatisation, contracting out and PFI. We demand 100% quality healthcare and education, free for all, as a right, and 100% public ownership in public services, this time with democratic control.

Further privateering in public services will cut deep into areas of trade union membership and strength. Yet the anti-union laws ban industrial action explicitly aimed at the principle of keeping services public.

As trade unionists we say enough is enough. It is time to stop the retreat. We need a movement of the membership across the trade unions that can:

• In alliance with service users, resist and roll back the government?s agenda of privatisation, PPP and Best Value; uphold the principle of free, best-quality healthcare and education for all, as a right; win adequate funding of public services.
• Fight for the repeal of anti-trade union laws and the implementation of a legal right to strike, take solidarity action and picket effectively.
• Stand up for strong and effective trade unions, independent of the employers.
• Coordinate and deliver effective physical, financial, political and industrial solidarity with those in struggle.
• Champion trade union democracy based on control of the trade unions by the members themselves.
• Ensure union political funds are used to further union policies and working class interests.

Unions should not accept being reduced to the status of ineffectual lobby groups in politics. We need clear, democratically controlled, working class political representation.

To help ensure that our trade unions fight back effectively against the employers and the government by every means at their disposal, both industrial and political, we are calling a conference to organise all those in the unions who want to start the fightback now. We ask all trade unionists to support this conference and to join together to change the direction of the trade union movement.

Signatories (all in a personal capacity) include: RMT London Transport Regional Council; Kate Ahrens, Unison health service group executive; Christine Blower NUT national executive; Maria Exall, CWU national executive; Steve Godward, regional education officer (West Midlands) Fire Brigades Union; John Homes, CWU national executive; Mick Jardine, Natfhe NEC member, Dougie Kinnear, RMT Scottish regional council vice-president; John Illingworth, NUT president-elect; Greg Tucker, secretary, RMT national train crew conference.

Conference details

Saturday November 3, 11.30am to 5pm, St Mary?s Neighbourhood Centre, Upper Street/St Mary?s Path, London (tube: Angel or Highbury and Islington).

Speakers include: Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary; Maria Exall, CWU national executive; John Leach, RMT national executive; John Page, branch secretary, Hackney Unison (Local Government); John Hendy QC, United Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti-Union Laws; Greg Tucker, secretary RMT national train crew conference; Shirley Winter, United Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti-Union Laws (all in personal capacity).

For more details, or to add your name to the list of supporters, visit www.unionsfightback.org.uk, or call 07944 960103.