United_Digital1_8:Activist issue 7 12/06/2009 13:22 Page 3
Comment issue four | June/July 2009
Derek Simpson, Tony Woodley
joint general secretary joint general secretary
Put people first
These are anxious times for all of us. Unite And it takes even more explaining to see banks like Lloyds
members from the motor industry to the banking HBOS, majority owned and controlled by the public,
sector are facing the threat of job losses and a sacking thousands of workers despite having received
worsening of terms and conditions. billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.
That is why your union is focussed above all on tackling The government has to start putting people first. We
the economic crisis, and trying to ensure that our hope that the clear-out of the cabinet following the
members do not pay the price for the mess made by European election results will give Gordon Brown the
those in the boardrooms. chance to bring forward a more interventionist strategy,
aiming above all at keeping working people working.
We have taken our arguments onto the streets, as seen
in the magnificent Unite for Jobs march and rally in Certainly, your union sees no value in the Labour
Birmingham last month. It was an inspiring sight to see leadership election and early general election which some
so many Unite members coming together under the were calling for. Of course, the greed of some MPs has
union’s banner to demand justice in our country’s been disgraceful, and those wearing a Labour rosette
industrial heartland. should be replaced.
And we have taken them to government, lobbying for But the political priority has to be the economy, and
assistance for companies and industries facing difficulties anything that distracts from dealing with the jobs crisis
as a result of the credit crunch. Our focus has been on will seem to most people like pure self-indulgence.
getting ministers to understand that, while we share their
contents
desire to get Britain out of the slump as fast as possible, Whether it is demonstrating, lobbying, negotiating with
we want our factories to still be open and our people still employers or taking direct action in the workplace,
to be in work when the upturn comes. Unite has the strength to make a difference. You can
help by playing your full part in your union. This issue
It takes some explaining that, while President Obama of our members’ magazine – distributed exclusively by
nationalises General Motors in the US, and the German e-mail for the first time, gives a flavour of the range of
government throws money at Opel, the threat of cuts or our campaigns and activities. Please let us know what
even closure still hangs over Vauxhall workers here. you think.
United
Welcome to our new digital format. We hope you like it!
Published by Unite the union Editor Letters to the editor Design Vital Design & Publications
35 King Street, Covent Garden, Amanda Campbell letters@unitetheunion.com
London WC2E 8JG.
Front covers John Harris and
E-mail (editorial) Advertising enquiries: call Beverley
Telephone 020 8462 7755 amanda.campbell@unitetheunion.com Jenisis on 020 7420 8909
report digital photographers
Fax (editorial) 020 8315 8201
www.reportdigital.co.uk
Website www.unitetheunion.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39