Sunday, September 26, 2010

Unite Gen Sec favourite Len McCluskey says People's Charter is alternative plan we need

"We have to offer an alternative, and we have one - it's called the People's Charter, which is both Unite and TUC policy."

Unite's leadership hopeful Len McCluskey talks to Emily Mann of the New Statesman

The coffee table in the office of Len McCluskey, an assistant general secretary of Unite and the best-known of four candidates in the union's leadership election this autumn, is empty but for a small chess set, the pieces neatly arranged ready for a match. I ask if he plays often. Oh no, he says, as if he's barely moved a pawn. "But perhaps," he adds light-heartedly, "Derek should have made me play to decide on the candidacy."

It is an affectionate-seeming swipe at the current joint general secretary Derek Simpson, who chose to back Les Bayliss as his successor when he retires in December. McCluskey is the preferred candidate of Unite's other general secretary, Tony Woodley, with whom the successful candidate will have to work as "general secretary designate" until Woodley retires a year later in December 2011, after which - finally - there will be only one.

The change, for many, cannot come soon enough. Simpson and Woodley have shared the leadership of Britain's largest union since it was formed through the merger of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union in 2007, but they have disagreed on many things besides their successor. McCluskey tells me that his campaign is going well - "I am humbled by the response from all sectors of the union" - but members everywhere have expressed frustration and anger that the integration of the union has not been properly completed.

"Ex-Amicus and ex-T&G shop stewards are now working well together and the benefits are clear," he says. "But at the top of the union, we still appear to have two different approaches, and that won't change until we elect a single general secretary." A self-confessed member of the union's left, McCluskey is standing as the "unity" candidate and insists that, if elected, he will drive through the integration in "a matter of weeks".


Friday, September 24, 2010

People's Charter takes to the streets of Edinburgh

Richard Shilcock reports on the CPB and People's Charter Stall in Edinburgh on Saturday 18th September 2010, he also seeks suggestions on developing this work. Let us know if you can help!

We were rained off very shortly after starting yesterday, but this last few weeks have been excellent, with four regular comrades on the 12.00-2.00 bookstall on Princes Street, allowing us to extend it to a second People's Charter stall.

The stall is providing an excellent focus for discussion among the comrades, and we have plenty of interesting meetings with passers-by. Many old CPGB
comrades make contact, as do communists from all round the world. The flag is now a regular landmark in Princes Street, and is a constant draw for photographers. Given the clampdown in many countries of eastern Europe, just flying the flag is an important statement to tourists.

The People's Charter stall attracts a trickle of petition signers, and we're distributing leaflets, but any advice is welcome on how to develop that stall.

People's Charter takes to the streets in Edinburgh

Monday, September 13, 2010

People's Charter at TUC Manchester 2010

People's Charter supporters are at this year's TUC in Manchester (13-16th September) as delegates and supporters. If you want more information about the Charter at this year’s TUC or can volunteer to help on the Charter stall please contact info@thepeoplescharter.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 078 1339 0063.
 
More info on the People's Charter website

Monday, April 19, 2010

Morning Star: STUC urged to back People's Charter - April 2010

Monday 19 April 2010

The STUC has rallied behind the principles of the People's Charter calling for the current failed economic and social model to be ditched.

RMT delegate Phil McGarry slammed the politicians and financiers who seem mystified as to how the system has failed.

"If you think we're gonna pay for it, you've got another thing coming," he said. "The working people in this country will not accept redundancies, they will not accept terms and conditions or pension rights being eroded, they will not accept public services being slashed."