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Conference opens with call for unity against public sector cuts

19 May 2010

The first major trade union conference since the formation of the Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition government opens today (19 May) with a call for joint union action against cuts to public services.

Delegates at the Public and Commercial Services union’s conference in Brighton will be asked to endorse a far-reaching campaign to defend jobs, pay, pensions and public services – that would include co-ordinating action among public sector unions.

They will also outline the next steps in the campaign to defend their redundancy terms in light of the union’s recent success in the High Court, where a judge ruled that cuts attempted by the previous government were unlawful.

In his opening speech to the conference PCS deputy general secretary Hugh Lanning will say delegates are “meeting at a time when we now know we will be operating in a more hostile environment”.

“This new government is not going to be a friend to the trade union movement. The difficulties we experienced under the previous government are going to intensify, as the coalition government attempts to cut the budget deficit by slashing jobs and public services.

“While recognising that we face difficulties, the fact there is a coalition government also presents us with opportunities. There will be divisions and political tensions and we must use these to our best advantage and also encourage unity among opposition groups that we have common cause with.

“The trade union and wider social movement needs to be united against the threatened cuts.

“Attacks on public sector workers and services are being played out across Europe as working people are being asked to pay for the global economic recession with their jobs. In Greece and Portugal there have been general strikes against the proposed cuts and in France there have also been mass demonstrations.

“Unity within our union and across union boundaries has never been as important as it is now.”

Other highlights during the week will include a debate about political representation and under what circumstances PCS should stand or support trade union candidates in elections. Guest speakers will include Labour MP John McDonnell and the UK’s first Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who is due to address the conference on Friday morning.

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