UNITE Opinion


SOAPBOX Building our own table


CLIVE TEARE, BY EMAIL


What I see in uniteWORKS is good people asking if they can have more crumbs from the table of those who own and operate businesses in the UK. Their response to this is to protest; but they are still asking someone else to give them what they want – they aren’t in charge or in a position to control resources. Traditionally mass action has meant protest and strikes but the internet gives another possibility.


I believe the question protestors must ask themselves is, “under different ownership, with different management and alternative goals, could this business be successful and still deliver what we are demanding that it should deliver?” If the business were to be run on more socially responsible lines with a more empathic approach to the interests of the work force then could it still survive and prosper?


If the answer is, “no” then there is little point in protesting. If the answer is, “yes” then it should be possible either to buy out the current owner or to open a competing business run on more ethical lines.


In the world I’m proposing the unions would accumulate “angel funds” by asking their members to invest with them. These funds would be offered to start-up business or existing small (or large) businesses at a reasonable rate of interest provided the business signed a legally binding agreement to honour working practices agreed at the outset by the union and to be run with union/worker participation.


Workers in such businesses should be more motivated and productive with employees ideally having a level of ownership of the business. If Unite could raise an average of £100 per member from one million members this would give a starting fund of £100m, a useful amount of money to invite good entrepreneurs down the ethical path rather than allowing them to be pushed down the profit-driven path of bank lending.


We live in an age where crowd funding is possible. Workers can keep asking for more crumbs from the tables of effective business managers or we can build our own tables. It’s about self-belief. It’s time for new ideas.


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


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


Your letters Food banks


I’ve been a Unite member for over 40 years and recently had the great privilege to viewI Daniel Blake. I wept during this showing and the audience clapped at the end. I have never witnessed this in my life. This film made such an impression on me I now contribute to food banks and buy food for street people. Members please contribute to your local food banks.


Robert Cashman, by email uniteWORKS on CD


I only joined Unite in April, and I have enjoyed reading my first Unite members’ magazine, I think it’s a fantastic publication, full of well written and interesting articles.


I only have one gripe, and that is that the accessibility of the magazine isn't great. I have dyslexia and overall it can be very hard to distinguish for anyone like me, with a disability. It's a shame, because the quality of your articles is so high. I would love, as I am sure many of your other readers would, to be able to read them more easily!


Miranda Harr, by email


Thanks Miranda – I’m sorry you’re finding the format difficult. We can provide you and members in a similar situation – or those finding the print too small – with a full audio version on CD. Please contact Taylor on 020 3371 2557. Ed


PR – way forward?


In PR: A better choice for voters (uniteWORKS Autumn 2016) Howard Beckett makes powerful and persuasive arguments for PR which I fully support.


For the past 10 years every Autumn my partner and I tramp the streets of Catford knocking indoors, on behalf of my council to get people to register to vote. People are often angry, refusing to even register to vote, claiming that their vote makes no difference and does not count.


PR would ensure all votes would matter and help elect a wider range of representatives and improve voter turnout – improving the legitimacy of government. PR should also be extended to local councils.


A greater registration of voters would also improve our democracy in meaning that juries, which are dawn from, are more reflective our our communities, especially in our inner cities. A move towards PR should also include on the day voter registration, on production of proof of residence and ID – allowing all those in society able to express their views.


Nick Long, Lewisham


Thanks Nick. We received a lot of support for PR but sadly none for First Past the Post. If you support FPTP why not let us know? Contact uniteworks@unitetheunion.org Ed


31 uniteWORKS Spring 2017


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