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By Socialist Appeal
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Thursday, 15 September 2011 |
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It’s official. November 30th is the agreed date
for a national “day of strike action” by public sector unions and others
against the government’s plans over pensions. It is expected that three million
workers could strike in what has been called the “biggest mobilisation in a
generation.” Unison, Unite and the GMB have given notice that they will ballot
their members, joining other public sector unions in what is intended to be the
start of a rolling campaign of action, which will go through the winter and into
2012.
Launched at the TUC meeting in London, it is to be hoped
that November 30th will widen out to involve not just the public
sector but will also pull in students, pensioners, the unemployed and workers
from the private sector. Although
pensions is the focal point this struggle should be turned into a general fight
against all the attacks being carried out by this government. Other unions should also ballot and
mobilise to get their members out on the day to fight the cuts, imposed wage
freezes, job losses and all the other ‘austerity’ measures being imposed by big
business to get them out of the mess at our expense. If all else fails, unofficial strike action should not be
ruled out by groups of workers who wish to play a part. The call for the TUC to
mobilise for a one-day general strike of all workers remains valid and
essential – November 30th can be that day.
Between now and the strike day, the entire labour and trade
union movement should be reaching out into the workplaces, the council estates,
shopping centres, colleges – wherever working class people are to be found – to
build for the maximum involvement in the various protests and walk-outs planned
around the country. Half a million marched in London on March 26th,
a million took strike action on June 30th - the potential
is there for the biggest mobilisation of the class in living memory. This will
send a clear message to Cameron, Clegg and the rest of the Coalition gang that
their time is up. Already they are moaning about the strikes to come as if the
will of the millionaires can outvote the will of the millions. If they don’t
like it then call a general election over the issue. Let them stand on a
platform of cuts, reduced pensions, higher unemployment, lost services, tax
perks for the rich and fiddles for MPs. We will see how well they do once they
have to tell the truth about whose interests they really defend.
Clearly
this is not just an industrial struggle, it needs to be taken onto the
political stage as well. Ed Miliband’s speech to the TUC this week was not a
good move. Seeking to gain favour
with the bosses and their press by distancing yourself from the unions and
condemning strikes will not work. Many working class people are openly
wondering whether he has forgotten that he is meant to be the leader of the
Labour Party. The Labour
leadership needs to change course and rally the millions of lost Labour voters
around a clear socialist programme which supports workers taking action and
outlines why we must fight for a real alternative to this current government
and the system of capitalism they defend. We need a Labour leadership that
knows which side it is on and is prepared to firmly stand behind a socialist
banner. Linking up the industrial
and political fight against the attacks of the Coalition into a single force
would present the ruling class with a power they could not hope to defeat. This
is a fight to save pensions, jobs, and services and for a better future for
all. It is a fight we can win if we go about it in the right way. All out
November 30!
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