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From The Socialist newspaper, 2 December 2020
Napo kickstarts fight against pay freeze
Adam Harmsworth, Napo national executive committee (personal capacity) and Socialist Party member
At my first meeting on the national executive committee (NEC) of probation union Napo, I put forward an emergency motion to launch a campaign against the pay freeze (see socialistparty.org.uk). It called for:
- The start of a consultation with members for strike action
- Local protests
- Approaching other unions now to meet for a joint campaign
It is absolutely crucial that public sector trade unions take bold action to fight the government over this clear and blatant attack.
In my speech supporting the motion, I made absolutely clear that we can have no illusions in the Tories backing down only from reasoning or pleas by the unions.
When Napo told the Tories privatising probation would be a disaster, they did not listen. Right now, the teaching unions warn that keeping schools open is a health risk, but the Tories are still not listening.
I am delighted to say there was no opposition. General Secretary Ian Lawrence spoke in favour, and it was passed unanimously.
Will we win support?
One NEC member commented that there may not be large support for this campaign in wider society. I disagree.
Certainly, if this fightback gains momentum, the capitalist press will run an immense smear campaign against the trade unions, as they have already done against the 'militant' teaching unions.
But we have seen an outpouring of applause for health workers, showing plenty of ordinary people value those on the front line.
Let's remember, the vast majority of the public are underpaid, undervalued, exploited workers themselves.
As long as the unions clearly campaign for the money generated by the working class to be used for the benefit of our class, and not siphoned off to the rich, we will win over lots of different workers.
This motion was the easy part. Now this union, Unison, and the other public sector unions, must build a campaign of protests and win support for strike action.
Socialist Party members in public sector union Unison helped win backing for a similar motion to defeat the pay freeze at the union's local government service group executive.
To beat the pay freeze requires a membership that is active, organised, high in morale, and able and willing to fight. The responsibility for building that lies with the trade union leadership.
Failing these essential tasks will mean a serious challenge will not emerge, and the capitalist class, through this government, will roll over the trade unions once again.
If Napo, the Trades Union Congress, and all public sector unions can rally and organise their membership around breaking the pay freeze, they will win.
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In The Socialist 2 December 2020:
What we think
Spending Review. Unions must resist return to austerity
Spending Review
What will the spending review mean for me?
Napo kickstarts fight against pay freeze
News
Better for billionaires. Worse for workers
Arcadia and Debenhams closures: Nationalise to save jobs and pensions
Scotland: Campaign wins end to period poverty
NHS: Underfunded, understaffed, underpaid
Devolution
Workplace News
Don't let the festive season be one of misery for retail workers
Equity union conference calls for radical change - now lead a fight!
Solidarity with Brighton UCU strike - we won't pay for Covid crisis
East London teachers strike in support of victimised union rep
Heathrow workers strike against 'fire and rehire' plans
Hackney: Stop plan to halve school support staff!
Pay freeze protest Homerton Hospital
Unison general secretary ballot closes
Environment
'Building back greener' - yet more Tory greenwash
International News
Marxism
Review: Friedrich Engels - Condition of the working class in England
Campaigns
Wales TUSC plans to mount an electoral challenge
Rent strikers' victory in Manchester student halls
Labour meeting lets MP get away with 'Spycops' abstention
Reader's opinion
Fast fashion, big profits, low pay
Diego Maradona - Working-class rebel, football genius
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