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USDAW and the Turner Report

Chris | 18.12.2005 19:22 | Workers' Movements | Birmingham

As an USDAW member it is horrifying that my union supports the Turner report and even tries to make out that it is a progressive report and legislation to follow will help working people.

Forcing working people to give the state more money, on top of tax, council tax, national insurance and everything else the state can take off us through VAT etc. Taking more money of working people is not a progressive idea; it is a regression and a defeat for the working class. It may increase the pot of money for pensions, but will it help the workers who will lose out on more money from their pay?

What my union should be demanding is higher corporate taxes, so that these rich parasites will have to give more back to us, what they take from us through us selling our labour for their profits.

We need to demand that the state stops spending our taxes killing hundreds of thousands of working class people in a war of terror and imperialist adventures in the Middle East.
My union has to stand up for working people, not sell them out by applauding state theft.

Chris Strafford
USDAW – Branch E160


Chris
- e-mail: chris_strafford@hotmail.com


Comments

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USBORE are part of the problem

19.12.2005 13:18

If USBORE's leadership could prise themselves from New Labour's arse for five minutes they might possibly be able to represent their members, who deserve MUCH better than this shower of spineless Blairites like John Hannett and his predecessor - who is now a Knight of the Realm for his unthinking loyalty.

It's a shame. Maybe you should join GMB instead. At least they occasionally stand up and criticise the government. And they need the money.

weary union supporter


re

19.12.2005 17:35

I would do, but GMB arent recognised at my workplace.

chris
mail e-mail: chris_strafford@hotmail.com


Take over usdaw

26.12.2005 19:05

You should always go with the biggest union in your workplace so I would completely disagree that you should join the GMB for that reason.

I agree completely however that usdaw is in no way a good union. In fact it is very corrupt and undemocratic.

When the broad left candidate for the presidency went to the executive committee asking that the election be conducted in a fair and democratic manner the letter he presented them was ripped up in his face.

However this does not when that the union cannot be used to own advantage.

I recently attended the national youth conference (although they later tried to deny it was a conference at all)
There were 2 political activists there out of a about 30 youth members there and the impact that we could have from that was outstanding.

The is nothing to stop the left-wing activists take that union over within time as long as we fight together to expose the corruption and the blantant lies of the lies of the leadership.

Your in struggle
Glyn Matthews

Glyn Matthews
mail e-mail: hellorockview1@hotmail.com


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