LABOUR shadow chancellor Balls was booed at the TUC Congress in Brighton yesterday when he made it clear that a Labour government would carry on with Tory cuts in jobs, pay, pensions and public services to prop up bankrupt capitalism.
Congress gave its reasoned reply when it voted for a resolution calling for the General Council to examine the ‘practicalities of a general strike’ against the Tory austerity measures.
There were cheers and applause as delegates overwelmingly voted to consider a general strike.
They voted for Motion 5: ‘Resisting Austerity Measures’ which states Congress accepts ‘that the trade union movement must continue leading from the front against this uncaring government with a coalition of resistance taking coordinated action where possible with far reaching campaigns including the consideration and practicalities of a general strike.’
Mover Steve Gillan of the POA said: ‘There has to be a robust response to this government, because if there isn’t the trade union movement will be in trouble.
‘The trade unions don’t just speak for our members but for those who have no voice – the unemployed, disabled people and children. We believe we should consider the practicality of a general strike. We should have it in our armoury.’
He went on to warn ‘We are at a crossroads. We should not be afraid to mention the word “general” or to consider it. Those that say the Tories will use this to bring in more anti-union laws – they’ve already done it. When you are threatened you have to threaten back. Let’s have the general strike in our armoury. Let’s keep fighting. Let’s take this fight to the coalition government,’ he concluded to applause.
Seconding the motion RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: ‘Every single person here is representing someone who is under attack by the government. Ed Balls said you can’t wait for a Labour government. What does he mean, more protest? We in the trade union movement have to stand firm. Let’s get everybody out on October 20th. Let’s have coordinated action. Let’s have a general strike. Let’s do it,’ he concluded to cheers.
John McInally from the PCS union said: ‘October 20th will not be enough. We have to use the opportunity of putting out a message of hope – that we will use the full strength of our movement. October 20th must be a launch pad for coordinated action. Let’s agree at least for joint action. A 24-hour general strike will be a good launch pad. Workers are waiting for a lead, let’s give them a lead.’
Tony Kearns of the CWU said: ‘We’ve been told we should be keeping our heads down. People keeping their heads down will be picked on. Our CWU conference in 2011 called on the TUC to call a general strike. The fight back has to start here.’
Prospect general secretary Peter Noone opposed the motion. He claimed: ‘We are not going to pretend we are near a public sector and private sector general strike in dispute with an employer. The government will use it as a stick to beat us with.’
NASUWT general secretary Chris Keates also said: ‘The motion will give the government a weapon against us.’
Steve Turner of Unite said: ‘We have a government waging open class war against our members’. He added: ‘A general strike will be a political strike led by the TUC and not a trade dispute needing a ballot.’ He concluded: ‘We are at our best united, proud and fighting back.’
The motion was carried overwelmingly with the NASUWT, Prospect, USDAW, BALPA and the ATL voting against.
Earlier, Balls had warned TUC leaders: ‘Ed Miliband and I totally understand your frustration, but strikes are not what we want and not what the public wants.
‘We don’t want a return to the division and confrontation of the 1980s.’
He continued: ‘The next Labour government is now set to inherit a substantial deficit. We cannot make any commitment now.
‘Unlike Nick Clegg we will not make promises we cannot keep,’ he added to boos from the floor.
In a question and answer session Unison delegate Liz Cameron said: ‘Public sector workers are going through a third year of pay freeze.
‘Why is it we hear you and Ed Miliband support this Tory pay freeze, while I have to choose between buying my children new school uniforms, putting the heating on or food on the table?’ she asked to cheers.
‘How can you get the respect of public sector workers when you continue to support that position,’ she added to applause.
Balls replied to murmurs of opposition: ‘I know it’s hard. We say jobs before pay.’
Asking a question on the work capability assessment test, PCS president Janice Godrich said: ‘Your answer on the pay freeze is disappointing. It is possible to defend jobs and improve pay.’
She then asked whether he thought people on work experience schemes should be paid, and whether Labour would scrap the labour capability assessment test.
Balls admitted the test causes loads of problems but added: ‘I am not sure scrapping the work capability assessment is the way forward.’
He also made it clear a Labour government would not repeal the anti-union laws or renationalise the railways.
The conference went on to debate international issues and passed motion 76 on the blockade of Gaza. This called for a TUC delegation to visit Gaza ‘to determine how the TUC may most effectively contribute to the end of the blockade.’
Moving the motion CWU General Secretary Billy Hayes said: ‘For more than five years the Palestinian people living in the Gaza Strip have been subjected to a siege by land, sea and air.
‘In a democratic election Hamas was elected and Israel declared Gaza a “hostile entity”.’
Hayes said 70% of people in Gaza are refugees; 80% of households are living in poverty; 29% are unemployed rising to 59% of youths.’
He added: ‘Tunnels provide a lifeline to people living below the poverty line.’
