SAVAGE ‘austerity’ cuts to prop up bankrupt capitalism and its banks are being met with a revolutionary response from workers and youth throughout Europe.
In the UK, over 500,000 marched in London when they got the call from the TUC on March 26 last year. Youth rose up last August, and millions more struck in defence of pensions last November and this March.
Many hundreds of thousands took part in protests in defence of the NHS, and the Occupy movement of middle class youth burst forth against the vast profits of the bankers.
Capitalism is in crisis, yet the TUC Congress refuses to call for the widespread expropriation of the bosses and bankers and for nationalisation and a planned economy.
Section 4 of the Preliminary Agenda ‘Economic and Industrial Affairs’ contains P26 Fair and just taxation from the GMB.
It states: ‘Congress condemns the Coalition’s continuing failure to address the exploitation by the wealthy of tax loopholes.
‘These loopholes must be eliminated.
‘Congress notes that the government cuts the top rate of tax for high earners while comedians laugh all the way to the tax haven, and telephone companies collude with the Treasury to avoid billions of tax.
‘Whilst the Prime Minister jumps on the bandwagon to condemn “some” tax avoidance schemes as “morally wrong” it is clear that a cabinet of millionaires, many of whom have personally benefited from creative tax avoidance schemes, have no interest in addressing this issue.
‘Wealthy individuals paid hundreds of times more than their workers avoid their obligation to contribute to society and reap the rewards from tax avoidance loopholes, while low-paid workers and the most vulnerable in our society bear the brunt of the austerity measures.
‘The cuts to benefits paid to working families, sick and disabled people and vulnerable young and unemployed people provide a fraction of the monies that are morally due to be paid in taxation by tax avoiders.
‘Congress demands an end to offshore tax free status for those seeking to buy into PFI projects such as hospitals and schools.
‘Congress commends the work of the TUC in its principled fight for a morally just, fair taxation system, which ensures that the wealth created by the people of this country benefits our public services and our people and not the lifestyles of billionaires who exploit loop-holes.’
Appealing to parliament to impose ‘fair’ taxation avoids the issue. It is easier to get rid of capitalism than to achieve ‘fair taxation’.
The Fire Brigades’ Union does move P27 Public ownership of the banks.
The motion states: ‘Congress notes the disastrous role of the banks over the past five years.
‘Congress condemns the scandalous levels of pay and bonuses for senior bankers, while workers are expected to pay for the economic crisis.
‘Congress condemns the interest rate-fixing by Barclays and other banks, which demonstrates again that the banking industry fails to operate in the interests of the majority of people.
‘Congress notes that despite the taxpayer-funded bail-outs and quantitative easing, the banks have failed to provide adequate lending and investment to assist economic growth and the creation of jobs.
‘Congress calls on the TUC to organise a thorough inquiry into the banking crisis.
‘This should involve finance experts, trade unionists working within the sector and representatives of mortgage holders, small businesses and others affected by the crisis.
‘Congress believes that the de-regulated, free market model that has dominated for the past three decades has been exposed as a failure; a major change of direction is needed.
‘Congress believes the economic chaos and devastation sparked by the major banks and financial institutions should be ended through full public ownership of the sector and the creation of a publicly owned banking service, democratically and accountably managed.
‘Congress believes that the banking and finance industry should be developed as a key public service.
‘This new form of banking could play a central role in building a sustainable economy, investing in transport, green industries, housing, creating jobs and assisting the recovery in the interests of working people.’
The FBU motion is a big step forward but leaders fail to indicate just how the most important section of the capitalists can be got rid of without a socialist revolution.
The National Union of Teachers expresses serious concerns over continuing youth joblessness.
Its motion P28 Youth unemployment states: ‘Congress notes with alarm continuing high levels of youth unemployment, especially in areas of social deprivation and among the most disadvantaged young people, including ethnic minorities and disabled young people.
‘Congress condemns attacks on young people through “austerity measures”.
‘Congress is concerned particularly that existing income inequalities will be exacerbated as education becomes increasingly reliant on ability to pay and employment experience upon ability to take up unpaid internships.
‘Congress instructs the General Council to ensure that youth unemployment has the highest priority through campaigns with affiliates, trades councils and campaign groups for:
‘i the restoration of EMA, the eradication of higher education tuition fees, and the restoration of careers education and independent careers information, advice and guidance
‘ii increased public spending to create jobs, and to create incentives for employers, where appropriate, to offer apprenticeship places and acceptable employment contracts with remuneration at least to the minimum wage
‘iii a welfare model that does not require any recipient of benefits to work without a wage, and the eradication of unpaid internships
‘iv an increased supply of apprenticeship places, with all apprenticeships to pay at least the minimum wage, to lead to guaranteed employment on completion, and to be of high quality and workplace-based
‘v minimum quotas for apprenticeship places and the employment of appropriately skilled young people in any public works commissioned and procured from public funds
‘vi youth employment programmes that reflect strategies to include under-represented groups, including ethnic minorities and disabled young people.’
The Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen is similarly concerned.
Its motion P29 Youth unemployment states: ‘Congress is deeply concerned by the ever-escalating level of youth unemployment in the UK and condemns the political and economic response to the problem from the Tory-Liberal coalition government, including misguided and ineffective work experience programmes and a “youth contract” which will provide support for very few young people.
‘Congress acknowledges that June 2012’s unemployment figures showed that there were 1.01 million unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds, a rate of 21.9 per cent, and further notes that the long-term unemployment rate has increased by 874 per cent since 2000, a figure which has risen by 264 per cent in the last year alone.
‘Congress believes that the government’s disastrous economic policies and politically driven cuts to the public sector are disproportionately affecting young people, and threaten irrevocably to damage their long-term earning and employment prospects.
‘Congress additionally deplores government plans to force older people to work until the age of 68, which will prevent younger workers from entering the labour market and entrench the cycle of long-term youth unemployment, depressed wages and restricted career progression.
‘Congress commends the work done so far by the TUC to address the issue of youth unemployment and urges the General Council to continue its campaign against the government’s cuts agenda with renewed fervour and to continue to make the case for an investment and growth-based economic policy that emphasises jobs.’
Both unions are to be congratulated for standing up for youth.
But ‘concern’, however deeply felt, is not enough nor are more and bigger protests, such as that being organised by the TUC for October 30.
They will only be useful if they are stepping stones to a general strike to bring down the Coalition and go forward to a workers government that will expropriate the bosses and bankers and carry out a programme of socialist nationalisation to provide jobs for all and a future for youth.
Labour will certainly not carry out such a policy.
Youth are a revolutionary generation, what youth and workers need is revolutionary leadership that will mobilise the great power of the organised working class to go forward to victory.
That means joining and building the Workers Revolutionary Party and its youth section, the Young Socialists.
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