Posted: 6.21pm Tuesday 24 February 2009
News
'British jobs' row: Workers of all countries, unite!
Unite union joint general secretary Tony Woodley, PCS union general secretary Mark Serwotka and Labour MP John McDonnell are some of the latest people to sign up to a statement calling for unity in the fight for jobs.
The statement was launched in response to the recent unofficial walkouts in construction.
It opposes neoliberal policies and attacks on workers but points out that the slogan "British jobs for British workers" can only lead to deep divisions inside working class communities.
The call for unity is winning wide support across the trade union movement, with over 1,400 people adding their names to the statement so far.
The South Central No 1 branch of the postal workers' CWU union has voted to sign up to the statement. Branch officers Paul Garraway, Bob Cullen and Chad Croom have also put their names to it.
Many people at the 200-strong Unite United Left launch meeting in Birmingham last Saturday put their names to the statement, including a number of Unite executive council members.
Eight members of the Unite liaison committee at Gatwick airport have added their names. Steve Guy, a Unite lay branch officer at Gatwick, said, "The slogan 'British jobs for British workers' has particular dangers for us in the aviation industry, where there are a large number of workers from ethnic minorities and other countries.
"People signed because they don't want division in the working class. It goes to show that not everyone supports a nationalist message.
"I'm going to ask my branch to adopt the statement this week. The fact that Tony Woodley has signed will help."
The initiators of the statement are planning to send it to the national newspapers.
The following should be read alongside this article:
» Wrong target at Staythorpe construction protests
© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.
Share this story on:
Delicious
| Digg
| reddit
| Facebook
| StumbleUpon
If you found this article useful please help us maintain SW by » making a donation.
» comment on article | » email article
| » printable version
top of page
