Bridgwater trade union movement history was made this Monday, when a dozen UCU strikers from the Bridgwater College campus came over to join the RMT Bridgwater Bus Branch picket at the bus station. Secretary of Bridgwater Trades Council, Dave Chapple, said “Hopefully, meetings up, combining picket lines, solidarity visits, call them what you will, between two or more unions are happening all over the country right now.” Labour Economy spokesman for Bridgwater Town Council Cllr Mick Lerry (Victoria) added “Trade Unionists are showing that they are not prepared to accept below the cost of living pay increase. The UCU and RMT are determined to campaign until they obtain a pay rise that is relevant to the sudden increases in inflation, mortgage repayments and the increase in the cost of living. The Government’s mini budget has increased financial pressure on working people, caused by the Government’s incompetence in running the economy. There are now other Unions balloting to take action due to Tory Government being out of control and lack of planning”.
Unite Community member Glen Burrows said “This is an example of the solidarity that the Labour Party would do well to share. Are you listening Keir Starmer?”
Cllr Richard Morgan (Fairfax East) who attended all this weeks picket lines, said “‘It was really encouraging to see the amount of public support as passers by waved and beeped their horns. And it was brilliant when the two unions combined forces showing that there is power when we come together'”
Meanwhile, at its Branch Meeting this week Bridgwater Labour Party unanimously passed the following motion
THIS BRANCH NOTES:
That the Labour Party was founded by trade unions to give a political voice to workers.
That research from Unite shows that profit margins for the UK’s biggest companies are 73% higher than pre-pandemic levels and runaway profits are responsible for 59% of inflation in the last year.
That in an inflationary period and with runaway corporate profits, below inflation wage rises represent a transfer of wealth from working people to the richest.
THIS BRANCH BELIEVES
That supporting workers on picket lines sends a strong message about what workers can expect of a future Labour Government and statements describing such support as ‘gesture politics ‘ are ignoring the purpose of the Labour Party.
That current industrial action enjoys broad public support, with nearly 3⁄4 of people in favour of rail workers receiving a cost-of-living wage rise.
That no worker wants to go on strike: industrial action is only taken as a last resort, and the right to do so is essential for workers to protect their living standards.
THIS BRANCH CALLS ON
The Labour Party to oppose real terms pay cuts for workers and to support wage rises in line with and in excess of the current inflation level.
The Labour Party to commit to increasing taxes on corporate profits to tackle inequality.
All Labour Party members including Labour MPs and frontbenchers to show solidarity with striking workers by attending picket lines and vocally supporting strikes.
The Labour Party to campaign against existing and new anti-trade unions laws, and when in government repeal them.
Yes, fully supportive of the actions of RMT and CWU and well done for holding fast. All we need now is for the spineless lader of the Party is throw his support behind them instead of taking the whip away from those terrible left wingers.