Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/680/12429
From The Socialist newspaper, 20 July 2011
Immigration Advice closure shows need for industrial struggle
Eric Segal, former RMJ Unite rep
One year after the closure of Refugee Migrant Justice (RMJ) in June 2010, the other main UK provider of free legal advice and representation to asylum seekers and migrant workers has now also been shut down. On 11 July 2011, over 200 workers at the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) were told that their employer was in administration.
IAS workers were organised by the GMB union. Tentative links had been made by RMJ union reps with IAS reps going back a number of years. The experience of our struggle to defend RMJ from closure was no secret. However, on 15 November the GMB announced that 82 jobs at the IAS were also at risk.
So why was no attempt made by GMB and some on the left to draw the necessary conclusions from the closure of RMJ? A potentially successful industrial struggle against the closure of IAS could have been waged.
RMJ closure
Following on from changes made in the way legal aid was paid under the Labour government, Ken Clarke, the Con-Dem minister for justice, completed the job and sent in the administrators to close the RMJ in June 2010. Eleven offices of the RMJ across the country were closed, with the loss of 343 dedicated and highly skilled workers leaving some 12,000 clients without legal representation. Many clients then disappeared through fear that they would be returned to their country of flight and to torture and persecution.
RMJ Unite reps organised a demonstration outside the offices of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in London. Calls were made at that demo by two RMJ Unite reps to occupy the RMJ head office, supported by the national Unite official, and also to forge links with the PCS union in the MoJ.
However, a call to organise a meeting of union reps to discuss this proposal was ignored. Due to a naive attachment to legal niceties a decision was made, during a meeting between lawyers with "experience of occupations" and some London-based union reps, to not occupy but instead "build a broad based campaign". This decision was made without the involvement of union reps and members in other offices.
Fight all cuts!
An occupation of the RMJ head office with the continuing provision of free legal advice, together with a call to the wider trade union movement and the refugee community itself for financial and other support, would have provided a beacon of resistance to cuts in legal aid. This would have been a concrete defence against attacks on the poor, vulnerable and dispossessed under the Con-Dem onslaught. Indeed, some not for profit organisations and charities also under threat were waiting in anticipation for a lead on how to fight anticipated cuts.
Our unsuccessful struggle to defend the RMJ was the first skirmish in a battle against a divided but intransigent Con-Dem government. But the lessons of our struggle must not be lost. No 'broad based' campaign can replace a determined working class struggle to defend our jobs and services.
If we learn the lessons of past struggles the question is not whether we can beat this government but with what do we replace it.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 20 July 2011:
News International scandal
Get rid of Cameron, Murdoch and all they represent
Socialist Party news and analysis
Capitalism stuck in a blind alley
Anti-cuts news and campaigning
'No cuts' budgets or 'parallel' budgets?
Legal Aid Bill - Access to justice is under attack
Immigration Advice closure shows need for industrial struggle
Stop Swansea coastguard closure
Southampton council workers' struggle continues despite imposition of new contracts
Labour takes axe to Sure Start in Liverpool
The NHS
Privatisation and cuts undermine the NHS
A day in the life of a student nurse: Overworked - but happy to help
Socialist Party workplace news
Bromley Unison reps resign in protest at union's disgraceful actions
South Yorkshire journalists start all-out strike
Strike solid at BBC Leeds office
Renationalise Bombardier to save jobs
London NSSN meeting - 'real debate' on preparing for coordinated action
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Defending state education - Brighton academy victory
TUSC: Building an electoral challenge to Con-Dem and Labour cuts
Tolpuddle says: 'step up the action'
The Work Programme: is it only chasing people off benefits?
International socialist news and analysis
South Africa: Massive metal workers' strike
Selling the Socialist
Socialist Party review
Music review - "This place is coming like a ghost town..."
Home | The Socialist 20 July 2011 | Join the Socialist Party