UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Friday 2 August 2013

Collective affiliation is a historic principle of continuing contemporary importance

Politics for the political elite may have gone into six weeks of care and maintenance mode but life goes on. So too does the debate about the future of the Union Labour link despite defeatist mutterings of some in the trade union movement who believe that concessions must be made to Ed Miliband because it would be unthinkable for him to 'lose face.' Anyone harbouring such thoughts would do well to read Keith Ewing's powerful article in today's Morning Star - 'Miliband appears to have bought the Tory line on trade union "bosses" hook, line and sinker. Had he any experience of the movement he purports to lead he would have known that his proposals are not in the gift of general secretaries to deliver. Trade unions are democratic organisations, in which, unlike the Labour Party, the views of members cannot be casually denied.'  
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/136059