1,198 words, 6 minutes read time.
Welcome to Union News, your guide to what’s happening in the UK labour and trade union movement. Reports are by Pat Harrington and music is from Tim Bragg. This week: “Don’t Fall for Lies”: Unison President Libby Nolan’s Rallying Call at Brighton Conference,
New Evidence Reveals Thatcher’s Role in 1984 Miners’ Strike Cover-Up. And Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union Unveils “Bakers Dozen” Manifesto Ahead of UK Elections.
“Don’t Fall for Lies”: Unison President Libby Nolan’s Rallying Call at Brighton Conference
Outgoing Unison president Libby Nolan delivered a powerful speech at the Brighton Conference Centre recently, urging attendees to remain vigilant against misinformation. In a packed hall, Nolan underscored the significance of historical industrial and community struggles championed by trade unionists and highlighted the upcoming July 4 general election as a pivotal moment for change.
Nolan emphasized the necessity of ousting the Tories, while also stressing the importance of holding a prospective Labour government accountable. “The Labour Party must not only stop NHS cuts and privatization—they must reverse the cuts,” she declared, advocating for a robust defence and expansion of public services.
Addressing the issue of public funding, Nolan refuted claims of financial scarcity, stating, “We should not fall for lies that there is no money to spend on public services. It’s about what they choose to spend the money on.”
Reflecting on her tenure, Nolan expressed pride in representing Unison during numerous peaceful and substantial demonstrations. She reaffirmed the union’s stance on international issues, particularly the conflict in Palestine, saying, “Being pro-Palestinian is not being anti-Semitic. We took the decision not to invite MPs to this conference who did not support a ceasefire. We will not stop speaking up for and marching for Palestine and demanding a ceasefire.”
Nolan’s impassioned address serves as a clarion call for union members to demand accountability, prioritize public services, and continue advocating for justice both domestically and internationally.
New Evidence Reveals Thatcher’s Role in 1984 Miners’ Strike Cover-Up
On the 40th anniversary of the Orgreave clashes, new evidence has emerged, revealing deep-seated lies and collusion within the Thatcher government during the 1984-85 miners’ strike. The Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign (OTJC) has released a damning report demanding an independent public inquiry.
The report, submitted to the Home Office and major political party headquarters, uncovers public and private actions by police and government officials during the strike. It confirms that then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her government influenced the miners’ strike and its policing, despite publicly denying involvement.
The OTJC argues that successive Conservative governments and senior police officials have concealed the truth about Orgreave. Kate Flannery, OTJC secretary, emphasized the need for an inquiry, citing Thatcher’s direct involvement. She highlighted the existence of withheld government files, some locked away until 2066, that could shed light on the events.
Kevin Horne, a miner arrested at Orgreave, accused the police of lying in their statements and court testimonies. “We want answers about the police’s lying and violent behaviour, how officers were briefed, and why they weren’t held accountable,” Horne stated.
The OTJC recently secured a Labour Party commitment to investigate Orgreave. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham marked the anniversary as a reminder of state power abuses against workers. She reiterated calls for an independent inquiry into Orgreave and warned against current anti-union and protest laws, urging any incoming government to repeal such legislation.
The anniversary and the OTJC report spotlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability regarding the 1984 Orgreave incident and its long-standing repercussions.
And finally, Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union Unveils “Bakers Dozen” Manifesto Ahead of UK Elections
The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) has introduced a bold new manifesto, dubbed the “Bakers Dozen,” urging the next UK Government to adopt 13 key policy changes. The initiative, directed particularly at the Labour Party, outlines transformative demands aimed at improving the lives of BFAWU members and the broader working-class community.
The Bakers Dozen Manifesto is rooted in both union policy and insights from a comprehensive member survey. Among its visionary proposals are immediate full employment rights, a £15 per hour living wage, the establishment of a national care service, the renationalization of utilities, and the abolition of university tuition fees.
The survey results indicate a decline in support for the Labour Party among BFAWU members, highlighting the necessity for the party to earnestly address working-class concerns rather than take their backing for granted.
Sarah Woolley, General Secretary of the BFAWU, emphasized:
“Our members are deeply politically engaged, and their concerns mirror those of the wider population. The cost of living crisis, affecting basic needs like food, energy, and housing, is the foremost issue. Other significant concerns include access to NHS services, affordable housing, and low pay.
Our members have clearly outlined what is needed to tackle these issues in their communities and workplaces. The Bakers Dozen Manifesto presents sensible, fair, and hopeful solutions that, if implemented, would benefit our members and workers across the UK. We strongly urge the Labour Party to consider and adopt these proposals.”
Ian Hodson, President of the BFAWU, added:
“The Bakers Dozen manifesto encapsulates the policies our members require to live and work with dignity, ensuring they receive fair pay and treatment and access to essential public services.
Years of neglect have left working-class people far from achieving these needs. Should the incoming Labour Government fail to address this decline, it will lead to widespread disappointment and potentially exacerbate the party’s future decline. They must heed these demands and address the needs of working-class people.”
The BFAWU’s Bakers Dozen Manifesto serves as a clarion call for the next UK Government, especially the Labour Party, to prioritize the needs of working-class citizens and implement policies that guarantee fair wages, workplace rights, and essential public services.
THE BAKERS’ DOZEN OUR POLICY DEMANDS AHEAD OFTHE GENERAL ELECTION IN FULL
1
Introduce a £15 an hour national minimum
wage for all workers regardless of age to
end the unfair youth limit on the national
minimum wage.
2
Abolish zero-hour contracts.
3
Full employment rights from day one.
4
Ensure all employers are legally required to
provide six weeks of contractual sick pay at
100% of normal pay to all workers.
5
Repeal all anti-trade union legislation.
6
Legislate for a maximum temperature in
the workplace.
7
End the practice of companies going into
administration to avoid their financial
responsibilities and obligations to their
workforce and fine directors who leave
workers high and dry
8
Take water, energy and Royal Mail back into
public ownership, curb excessive pricing
and remove the profit motive from our
essential services.
9
Introduce a statutory Right to Food, free
school meals and place a cap on
Supermarket profits.
10
Re-nationalise our train companies, cap bus
fares at £2 max for a single journey and
introduce free public transport for all 16–25
year olds.
11
End arm sales to Israel
12
Abolish Tuition Fees, re-introduce the
Union Learning Fund in England, whilst
protecting the funds in Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland.
13
Create a national care service that provides
dignity for the elderly and vulnerable no
matter their income and wealth.
Picture credit
By Rwendland – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67014424
