A Future that works Campaign
P01 Austerity and the alternative
Congress rejects this government’s economic
programme of austerity, which has caused a doubledip recession and a stagnant economy leading to the
deterioration of living standards for ordinary people.
the austerity programme has been challenged by
a number of eminent economists and concerns about
prospects for UK growth have been expressed by the
Bank of england, as well as the imF and oeCd.
Congress recognises the role of government in
delivering an economy that works for ordinary people
and serves society.
Congress calls for an alternative economic strategy
that provides for growth, jobs and fairness. this shall
include:
i an end to the cuts that are sucking
demand out of the economy
ii sectoral and regional re-balancing of the economy
iii an active industrial policy that supports
manufacturing, makes strategic use of
government procurement and helps develop
a greener and more sustainable economy
iv investment in infrastructure including affordable
and social housing, transport and energy
v preservation of the welfare state
vi reform of the banking sector to work for the
real economy, greater democratic control of
financial institutions and the establishment
of a national investment Bank
vii tax justice, ensuring the rich pay their
fair share through clampdowns on tax
avoidance and evasion and the introduction
of a Financial transactions tax.
Congress supports the tUC’s a Future that
Works campaign and calls on the general Council to
campaign vigorously for an alternative to austerity that
delivers jobs, homes and a decent standard of living
for working people.
unite
P02 Public services and employment
Congress believes that increasing unemployment, and
particularly youth unemployment, is a deliberate policy
aim of this government, as evidenced by the record
number of public sector job losses, at 730,000 double
the initial 2010 coalition prediction.
Budget cuts, job losses, regional pay and
privatisation will add to unemployment and weaken
the prospects for economic recovery; they will
prevent the public from accessing the services and
infrastructure this country needs for a future that
works for everyone.
Congress rejects the idea that the UK public sector
had in recent years become “too big” or inflated with
unproductive “non-jobs”. Congress deplores the
Coalition’s ideological attempts to reduce the size of
the state. these are replacing collectivist responses to
people’s needs, based on ensuring that basic rights
are met as summed up by Beveridge in 1944, with
a backward philosophy that sees no role for society.
Congress utterly rejects such an approach that is
based on further enshrining inequality within the UK
and ignoring the needs of the majority.
Congress believes that a balanced, prosperous and
sustainable economy must include all citizens, and
that to ensure everyone has a stake, public investment
and employment to deliver essential infrastructure and
high quality services are essential.
Congress calls on the general Council to continue to:
i campaign vigorously for its economic alternative
ii fully defend public services and
reject the privatisation agenda
iii strengthen manufacturing policy
iv endorse progressive taxation and all measures
against tax avoidance and evasion
v promote fair pay and decent employment.
unison
tUC CongreSS 2012 | preliminary agenda
P03 Challenging austerity
Congress recognises that the government’s austerity
policies are making the UK economic situation worse.
Congress notes that since the coalition government
came to power unemployment is higher, growth lower,
and living standards are falling. Congress believes that
cuts in public spending make no economic sense.
Congress condemns the government for the
hardship suffered by millions of people losing their
jobs, local services or receiving cuts in their pay,
pensions or benefits, and for deepening inequality in
our society.
Congress believes that the scale of the cuts and
increased privatisation will fundamentally undermine
our public services.
Congress therefore opposes all cuts to public
services, jobs, pensions and pay. We support all
campaigning activity for an alternative to austerity.
Congress calls on the labour party leadership to
support our campaigns and specifically to reverse its
misguided support for the government’s public sector
pay policy.
Congress congratulates trade unionists on taking
strike action over public sector pensions on 30
november and 10 may. Congress believes that further
coordinated action is necessary to win concessions
from the government.
Congress instructs the general Council to:
i prioritise building for the 20 october
demonstration – to make it the largest
anti-cuts protest in UK history
ii support coordinated strike action against
cuts in pensions, pay and jobs this autumn
iii step up the campaign for an economic
alternative based on growth, investment,
redistribution of wealth and fair taxation
iv support campaigning groups taking action against
cuts, including UK Uncut, disabled people
against Cuts and the occupy movement.
public and Commercial services union
P04 Economic policy
Congress condemns the UK ‘Condem’ government’s
policies of austerity and cuts, and further condemns
the fact that UK businesses are effectively engaged in
an ‘investment strike’, stockpiling over £700m in cash
(equivalent to 50 per cent of gdp).
Congress also condemns the government policies
that have resulted in the ‘take home’ pay of workers
falling in real terms, rising unemployment, and ‘hidden’
unemployment as the number of workers seeking
full-time employment but in part-time jobs has grown
dramatically.
Congress is also alarmed at the slump in the UK’s
manufacturing output with new orders having fallen at
their fastest level since 2009 – clear evidence of the
failure of the UK government’s economic policies, and
a clear indication that the private sector will not provide
jobs for those made redundant due to cuts in the
public sector. the decline reflects a sharp weakening in
domestic orders, with export orders also falling.
Congress instructs the general Council to continue
to argue the case for an alternative to the economics
of cuts and austerity, and do all it can to ensure the
maximum turnout on the demonstration called by the
tUC on 20 october 2012.
transport salaried staffs’ Association
P05 Resisting austerity measures
Congress welcomes the Future that Works
demonstration on 20 october 2012 and recognises
this as being an effective platform and foundation
to resist the damaging austerity measures that are
damaging the very fabric of our society in great Britain.
Further, Congress recognises that after the
demonstration there needs to be a strong voice from
all tUC affiliated unions to protect public and private
sector workers, the unemployed, our children, the
elderly and all those in our society who are vulnerable.
Congress accepts that the trade union movement
must continue leading from the front against this
uncaring government with a coalition of resistance
taking coordinated action where possible with far
reaching campaigns including the consideration and
practicalities of a general strike.
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