An emergency programme for jobs, services and safety
TENS OF THOUSANDS have unnecessarily died from the Covid pandemic thanks to a government that was ill prepared and put profit ahead of people’s safety. Now, alongside a Covid pandemic that is far from over, we face an avalanche of job losses, more austerity and more attacks on pay and conditions. We need a fightback across workplaces and communities to demand that ordinary people won’t pay for the crisis.
OUR DEMANDS
Extend the furlough scheme – defend jobs
The government’s Furlough scheme must be kept in place for at least the next 12 months – no worker should be left behind. We will support any group of workers that strikes or occupies their workplace to defend jobs.
Guarantee safe workplaces
The government and employers are pressing to drive ever more people back to work despite the dangers of a second wave and the failure to put a credible test and trace system in place. We support any group of workers that refuse to work in unsafe workplaces.
Tax the wealthy – don’t make workers’ pay for the crisis
We need a massive transfer of resources from the rich to protect jobs, services and living standards. We reject any argument that pay freezes will save jobs – we need to fight on every front.
Public ownership of services and end outsourcing
The outsourcing of services to private firms must be reversed. No more two tier workforces.
For an immediate massive programme of green investment
“Re-purpose” industries, end dependency on fossil fuels and to provide a million climate jobs. We need massive investment in council housing and in public transport.
A welfare system that provides real social security and dignity
Universal Credit and the Bedroom Tax must both be scrapped and benefit sanctions halted. Benefit payments should be massively increased and the moratorium on housing evictions must be maintained.
Sign up to support the programme
Initial signatories include:
- John McDonnell Labour Party MP
- Diane Abbott Labour Party MP
- Sarah Woolley Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union general secretary
- Ian Hodson Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union national president
- Jane Loftus Communication Workers Union vice president
- Fran Heathcoate Public and Commercial Services Union president
- Claudia Webbe Labour Party MP
- Rebecca Long-Bailey Labour Party MP
- Richard Burgon Labour Party MP
- Ian Byrne Labour Party MP
- Apsana Begum Labour Party MP
- Grace Blakeley author, economist and activist
- Neil Findlay Scottish Labour MSP
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy Labour Party MP
- Gordon Rowntree PCS Left Unity national secretary
- Robin McAlpine Common Weal director
- Carlo Morelli Scotland University and College Union president
- Mark Rowe Fire Brigades Union national officer
Please note names will not appear automatically. This is a selection of the initial signatories.
GET ORGANISED!
Build fighting unions and solidarity with every fightback
To defend the interests of workers we need to rebuild the trade union movement. We need to draw millions of workers facing job losses, low pay, lack of safety at work into the unions – and we need tens of thousands of new reps and activists who can help organise campaigns, strikes and protest to defend workers. Unions that fightback can recruit members and enthuse a new generation of activists. Every group of workers that fights back should be flooded with messages of support, donations to their strike fund and invites to address union and labour movement meetings. We demand the repeal of all the anti-trade union laws.
Equality and unity – don’t let them divide us
Governments that want to shift the burden of a crisis onto the shoulders of workers and the poor will also turn to more scapegoating, division and racism to help push their attacks through. We will organise to challenge and oppose all forms of racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia and discrimination against disabled people. Only though unity based on equality can we fight back effectively.