UNITE Opinion


SOAPBOX UKIP – no help to workers


BY ANDREI DUDAI, POOLE


As a worker in Britain I’m very concerned if UKIP gets more power this May. This August 8 will mark my eleventh year of living and working in Poole, Dorset.


As a Romanian, when I joined my company back in 2004, I needed a work permit – the same type that UKIP are saying they would bring if they get into power. I can tell you from a worker’s perspective this is the worst thing that can happen. As an employee with a work permit you are basically a slave for your company.


If you do or say anything the company does not agree with, your work permit becomes void and you are taken straight to the airport and on the first flight back to your home country.


Imagine that you refuse to work overtime or ask for union representation during a meeting with your manager. Or even if you decide to join a union. All the things you can do without fear of repercussions now, on a work permit you will not be able to do so.


During my time as a Unite rep I’ve heard cases when a basic right like using the toilet got you sacked or not paid. This is happening now in Great Britain in 2014.


But voting UKIP on May 7 will affect all workers. It will only benefit the same people which created all the problems in the first place – the rich elite. You as a worker will suffer.


UKIP is not afraid to say it will scrap the agency workers directive, maternity pay and the working time directive – basically all your rights as a worker in Britain. If this is what you want, for you and your family, then please go ahead and vote UKIP.


But think about this. The USA, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Australia and Canada all urged Britain to remain in EU, while Russia and China both say that a Brexit is the best thing that could happen.


Maybe you think that immigration is the problem? Well let’s look at the four European countries that are not part of EU: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.


• EU Immigration in UK (EU member state): 3.7 per cent • EU Immigration in Norway (non-EU member state): 5 per cent • EU Immigration in Iceland (non-EU member state): 5.2 per cent


• EU Immigration in Switzerland (non-EU member state): 14.3 per cent


• EU Immigration in Liechtenstein (non-EU member state): 16.5 per cent


Europe might not be perfect, but UKIP is certainly not the answer to Britain’s problems. And voting for UKIP will only make the problems worse.


Your letters Waffle-time is over


Last issue’s article on Harry Smith holds a such an important message to both Labour and the working class.


As Harry says, the time for waffle is definitely over. We need strong leadership, both from Labour and the unions, to defend our social structures against the vicious destruction by this un-mandated, right wing band of rich vandals.


David Spencer, by email Voting threshold


I have read with interest that the nice Mr Cameron and his charming friends are going to insist that us peasants must have 40 per cent of our membership votes before we can have a legitimate strike.


Might I suggest that before he and all of his colleagues go down that road, that they too must only be elected to Parliament provided that they each have 40 per cent of their constituency electorate vote!


David Barnes, Worthing Thank you


I want to thank Unite for all the support given to me during the recent Scottish Labour leadership election. From securing the nomination of the union through to the active support of so many Unite activists I was truly humbled by the backing I received.


Unfortunately I was unable to win the election but I want to assure members that I am 100 per cent committed to continuing to promote a trade union agenda inside and outside of parliament.


And over the coming months I look forward to working closely with Unite members and officials.


Neil Findlay, MSP for the Lothians


OVER TO YOU:Why not send us your views for Your letters or Soapbox? Write to us at uniteWORKS, Unite, 128 Theobalds Road, London WC1X 8TN or email uniteworks@unitetheunion.org


Views expressed in letters and Soapbox are those of the individual and not necessarily endorsed by Unite.


• See page 27 www.unitetheunion.org/nvnv 30 uniteWORKS Spring 2015


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