by Dave Crouch

We are living through the worst economic crisis for 60 years. No one has any idea how it will pan out or when it will end.

Unemployment is soaring. Yet where are the unions? We should be battering on the doors of parliament.

Like never before we need strong unions that can connect individual, isolated struggles into a powerful national movement.

Millions understand that it is a crime to throw billions at propping up the banks. The G20 protesters at the Bank of England had the right idea – the unions have the muscle to deliver their vision.

This week Vestas has been humbled on the Isle of Wight by an occupation backed by hundreds of trade unionists and climate activists. Unofficial action has recently won stunning victories at Lindsey and Visteon.

These developments have the potential to transform the political situation in this country.

For this reason four unions – NUJ, NUT, UCU and PCS – have come together nationally with the mass anti-war movement to call a joint protest at Labour’s conference in Brighton on 27 September.

The government is weak and desperate to save its skin. A large and radical protest in Brighton can pile the pressure on Labour to change track. The day before the protest the Convention of the Left will rally left activists and continue the urgent work of building unity.

Last Friday representatives of all four unions met at the UCU to hammer out some details. But the initiative from Headland House won’t build a demo on its own – it needs to be backed up with grassroots activism.

Time is short, so there will be a first stab at creating an NUJ organising committee from 7pm on Tuesday 4 August at NUJ headquarters, 308-312 Gray’s Inn Road, London. Nearest station is King’s Cross.

Posted by NUJ Left

Tags: industrial action, job cuts, National Union of Journalists, NUJ, protest, solidarity