TUC BACKS PEOPLE'S CHARTER

Earlier this year the People's Charter was launched by Parliamentarians and trade unions including the RMT and FBU. Good news from the TUC where Congress overwhelmingly voted to back an RMT motion asking for support for the Charter's call for a fairer economy, decent housing and pensions, restoration of trade union rights, and bringing the private utilities into public ownership. More details on the LRC website

SCRAP TRIDENT CALL AT TUC

One of the issues which saved the Calder Valley seat for Chris McCafferty ( ask anyone who spent every day at the Trades Club phone bank during the last General Election campaign) was her strong opposition to Trident.
Despite the rebellion of over 100 Labour MPs, including Chris, Gordon Brown and the Government pressed ahead with plans for a new generation of nuclear weapons. As Kate Hudson points out over Socialist Unity, a reversal of this policy which is neither financially nor morally viable , would be a vote-winner. There is also a CND fringe meeting at the TUC Congress. Details are in the post.

http://www.socialistunity.com/

THE GANG OF FOUR......

Blogging sparse of late due to family stuff but hopefully now more time back to keep up to speed on the political world . Am glad to read on Union Futures that my union the NUJ has won another battle . In a postal ballot at the Northcliffe-owned South West Wales Media, journalists at the South Wales Evening Post, Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star voted by 45 to 34 in favour of formal recognition of the NUJ. Well done Lawrence, (the full-time organiser in that part of the world) Today, also, the NUJ will formally launch a new coalition with the RMT, FBU and the PCS at a fringe meeting at the TUC Congress. None of these four are affiliated to Labour.In my union's case that would be an impossibility as we're supposed to be politically neutral ( yes, I know) .The others, sadly, do not want to be part of the Labour Party. But they do have groups in Parliament and one of their most active champions is John McDonnell MP who will be at tonight's meeting. I wish the venture well and look forward to finding out how it goes in the weeks and months ahead. Am sure it will be on the agenda at our next ADM in 12 months' time.

THE VIEW FROM THE TUC FLOOR.......

Depressing reading from the BBC website. Yes I know it's a lazy way of blogging but I'm playing catch-up woith six different things at the moment. No comment needed, really.



ROB MACKIE, NATIONAL UNION OF MINEWORKERS

The government is going downhill fast. It is just becoming less and less popular with people. It's sinking. The problem is that Gordon Brown and his colleagues are going away from what Labour is meant to be all about. They are not doing anything to help our members. They've got to do something soon or they will pay a heavy price at the election.
ROSA DAVIES, UNISON

Things are getting worse and they don't look like getting better soon. Financially we are no better off under Gordon Brown. I think he has been an abominable prime minister. I didn't mind Tony Blair so much. He didn't do anything that really annoyed me. The feeling is that Brown is being a bit stupid. We don't have to have such a big tax on fuel, for instance. He's not doing anything to help that's really relevant. I would rather not vote at all than vote for the Tories or the Liberal Democrats, but traditional Labour values seem to have gone out of the window.
ADRIAN JONES, UNITE

Brown isn't listening to the people. He has maybe about 18 months to start doing so, or we will end up with a Tory government. I don't think replacing Brown will solve anything, but all the normal working man sees is unfair taxation, while massive companies, especially fuel companies, are getting away with paying very little. Last year I thought we were ready for a change of Labour leadership. I was optimistic that Brown, who had been a strong chancellor, would be the same as prime minister, but he lacks the same strength as Blair. Blair was more vocal and could think on his feet. I actually preferred Blair to Brown. We are feeling exposed to the global economic problems and it's the government's job to protect us from that.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR, NATIONAL UNION OF TEACHERS

I just can't believe how lost Gordon Brown is. He's missing the point at every turn. We thought he would be more competent than that. PR is so important in this age and Brown is sending out the wrong messages. Of course, it's clear Blair got out at the right stage and there are big problems, but I think Brown should resign. He can't go back and sort things out now.
ALAN CARR, UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE UNION

Brown hasn't done terribly well. He's failed to communicate and to take the concerns of union members seriously. The problem with talking about replacing Brown is that there's no heir apparent. I think the door is close to being completely closed for Brown. There was a chance to do something new when he took over from Blair, in areas like the policy over Iraq. But the opportunity was lost. Brown should implement some radical policies like the SNP have in Scotland. There was feeling when Brown came in that he was substantially to the left of Blair. There isn't that feeling now.