Below is the resolution, adopted a a meeting of trade unionists in Lambeth on 3 January, calling for escalation of the strikes over the pensions dispute.
1. Recognising the move of the leaders of the biggest public sector unions to accept a government deal that does not address any of the concerns of the strikers, we propose to
– Organise a campaign against the deal across the public sector
– Push for an escalation of strike action starting with a two day strike at the end of January – either separately on their own or preferably together
– To initiate and organise workplace and local meetings of trade unionists to stop the sell out
2. Given seriousness of the coalition governments attacks on jobs, pensions, wages and benefits this Convention will set about establishing an organised fight-back in the unions and in the communities, we recognise –
– that maximum co-ordinated strike action – official if possible, unofficial if necessary – must be organised to throw back this Tory led offensive
– that ultimately only an all out mass strike, of general strike proportions, can defeat this government’s offensive and break up the coalition
– that now, more than ever, a rank and file movement taking action with the leaders where possible, but without them where necessary is needed
3. The moves to sell out the pensions struggles shows that we cannot rely upon the official leaderships of the unions to build the action that we need to win. While insisting union leaders need to pull back from the sell out and call further actions, we recognise that we cannot limit the struggle to to irregular one day actions. We must build now for extended action at a local and regional level – all out, stay out:
– build cross union strike committees across boroughs, towns and cities so that the rank and file of the unions are able to organise effective coordinated action
– develop strong links with local anti-cuts committees, communities and all groups taking action against the government and banks – UK Uncut, Occupy – with the aim of developing a mass movement of strikes, occupations and direct action
– no sell out, no attempt to break ranks, no settlement until everyone settles
4. At this time we urgently need unity: a united rank and file campaign to stop the sell out. It is regrettable that a meeting discussing exactly the same topic – how to stop the sell out and kick start the action – has been called by Unite the Resistance on the 14 January.
5. We will attend this meeting and propose to it the formation of a united, rank and file campaign to stop the sell out. To this end, we will propose to Unite the Resistance, the National Shop Stewards Network, Coalition of Resistance and all left caucuses and grassroots initiatives in the unions, to organise a united conference in February 2012 as a step towards a cross-union rank and file movement.
Signed (all in a personal capacity):
Jeremy Drinkall (Lambeth Unison shop steward)
Dan Jeffery (Lambeth Unison assistant branch secretary)
Rekha Khurana (Lambeth Unison publicity officer)
Mandy Brown (Lambeth College UCU joint branch secretary)
Paul Johnson (Lambeth Unison)
Eleanor Davies (NUT)
Helmut Heib (NUT)
Dave Esterson (Lambeth College UCU)
Mark Boothroyd (Guy’s and St Tomas’ NHS Trust Unison)
Colin Weedon
Joy MacKnight (NUT)
