Trade Unions Unite Against UK Government's Cuts Strategy
14/09/2010
Press release issued by the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
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PRESS RELEASE:
TRADE UNIONS UNITE AGAINST UK GOVERNMENT’S CUTS STRATEGY
Representatives of the Scottish, Welsh and Irish trade union centres met with the TUC at the annual Congress in Manchester today to discuss the impact of the coalition government's economic policies. The proposed cuts in public spending will hit the devolved nations hard, as well as many of the most vulnerable areas and regions of England. The latest unemployment figures, due out this Wednesday, are expected to show rates remaining high across the UK, with young people particularly hard hit.
In light of this, the four Centres agreed to call on the leaders of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to collaborate in emphasizing to the UK Government the consequences of its policies for the economies of the devolved nations and the English regions, particularly for jobs in both private and public sectors, and in making the case for a more sensible timescale for deficit reduction, for much more emphasis on closing the fiscal gap through fairer taxation, and above all for investment in growth.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: “Taking the axe to public spending not only threatens not only to derail our fragile economic recovery, it could also open up a new North/South divide – creating mass joblessness across huge swathes of the country.
“But there is an alternative to slash and burn and the TUC will be making the case for an alternative strategy of investment to promote growth across the UK.
Scottish TUC General Secretary Grahame Smith said: “The Devolved Administrations have a responsibility to make the UK Government fully aware of the disastrous impact its policies will have on jobs, services and economic growth.
“Concern over the cancellation of the carrier contract has highlighted the potential effect that the planned savage cuts in public spending will have on the private sector and the very real danger that the good work of the previous government to support UK manufacturing through progressive procurement will be undone.
“The STUC's 'There is a Better Way' campaign will engage workers and communities in campaigning for an economic policy geared to investment in jobs, growth, a living wage and fair taxation as the means of securing the public finances and we expect Government at all levels to stand with us.”
Wales TUC General Secretary Martin Mansfield said: "It's vital that the progressive policies of the Welsh Assembly Government are not undermined by unnecessary and callous UK Government cuts when we are already underfunded.
"We face the real possibility in Wales that our already weak private sector will be hit by a double dip recession caused UK Government policy, while whole communities will suffer cuts to services and benefits just at the time when unemployment will increase.
"The devolved administrations must work together to oppose the UK Government cuts which have the worst impact on those countries and regions least able to provide alternative employment and those most reliant on vital public services. Top of the list must be ensuring that the UK Government recognise and address the disproportionate effect of their cuts on the devolved nations."
ICTU Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting added:
"Millions of workers and their families will be adversely affected if these cuts are forced upon the regions and nations of the UK. For the people of Northern Ireland, as in Wales, Scotland and the English regions, these cuts are unjustified, unnecessary and undemocratic.
"There is no mandate for these cuts which are too deep and too fast. We fear that they will reverse years of hard work to rebuild our society.
"The trade union movement across the UK is speaking with one voice in saying that these unnecessary cuts can and must be resisted, and we urge all sectors of our society, from large businesses to small local community groups, to unite in opposition and to support realistic and fairer alternatives to this misguided strategy.
"It is crucial that the politicians who we have voted for, especially in the devolved regions, speak out and join with civil society in support of a better and fairer way."
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
1. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is the single umbrella organisation for trade unions on the island of Ireland. Congress is the largest civil society organisation on the island. It is the apex body representing 750,000 workers affiliated through 64 trade unions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The organisation is required, through its mission statement, to strive to achieve economic development, social cohesion and justice by upholding the values of solidarity, fairness and equality.
2. The Northern Ireland Committee (NIC) of the ICTU is the representative body for 36 trade unions with 250,948 members across Northern Ireland. In membership terms, it is the largest civil society organisation in Northern Ireland. Information on the NIC is available on www.ictuni.org
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