Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Why Europe is Important to Trade Unions

Claude Moreas, London MEP was the second guest speaker at our London Region Labour Link meeting last week.

Claude has been a UNISON/NALGO member since 1987 and his Mum is still a UNISON steward! Claude gave a very relaxed but at times hard hitting speech about his experiences as a BME London Labour MEP in Europe.

In June next year there will be the European elections. Claude argued convincingly (to me anyway) that it was not only important for the Labour Party to win these elections but also especially important for trade unions and their members.

Due to the enlargement of the European Union (EU) the number of MEPS per country has been reduced. London is losing 2 MEPs (from 10 to 8). The EU legislative assembly is now really important over a wide range of core trade union issues. For example the Agency Workers Directorate which will protect workers with 12 weeks employment with “comparable rights” to permanent staff. This is a huge advance despite some problems. Next month there will be a debate and vote over the working time “opt out”. If we got rid of this opt out, it would be a huge advance in protecting vulnerable workers from exploitation.

However the socialist and progressive majority in Europe is razor thin. If not enough Labour MEPs are elected then the assembly could fall into the hands of EU “Conservatives” and this will mean the end of such progressive policies. It is also critical for the unions to support Labour MEPs so they can oppose the dark side of the EU legislative regime, such as the “Services Directorate” which could result in the forced privatisation of local government and NHS care services.

Claude also warned that the likely collapse of the UKIP (due in part to their corruption scandals and the behaviour of their maverick MEPs) could result in the BNP getting 7% of the vote in London and gaining a MEP.

Claude reminded us that there were according to his calculations (Germany and France are opposed to monitoring of MEP’s by ethnic or other origin etc) 3 times the number of fascist/far right MEPs than black MEPS. He wondered what will happen when the new USA president, Barack Obama, who has been invited to address the Assembly, turns up. He will not only be addressing an assembly whose elected members do not accurately reflect the diversity of the EU.

Barack (this is my thoughts) will be standing directly opposite neo-Nazis and fascists who will no doubt consider him as sub-human. I would love to see how they will cope with this.

The bottom line is that the EU is really important especially to all our trade union members who have benefited from greater protection at work. Unless we mobilise and get out our vote in June this progress could be undermined or even reversed.

2 comments:

ian said...

Europe has been largely important to Trade Unions. At the same time it has thrown up big problems for us. I refer to Laval, Viking, Ruffert and Luxembourg cases. We must not create illusions in europe for our Members.

At the same time I agree to supporting the Labour MEP group who have in many cases been to the left of our government. Arguably while they have successfully pushed for rights for agency workers, over the years this government have at best dragged their heels or at worst try to stop it.

http://www.etuc.org/r/846

Regards

Ian

John Gray said...

Hi Ian

Agreed. Since this election is by PR - every single vote will count. The unions need to encourage every member to get out and vote. Especially in London and Northern England since a high turnout will also make it less likely that the BNP will win a seat.