The day he was officially appointed Unite general secretary (see our dispatch No. 100825), he told the media: ‘[W]orking people are under massive attack now. This government is expecting them to pay, through job losses and spending cuts, for the crisis made in the City. Resisting that assault must be priority number one for any trade union leader. What Thatcher tried to do to the unions, the Con-Dems are trying to do to the welfare state – erase it from the nation’s life.’ He continued, saying; ‘That is why at the start of 2011, Unite will be launching its Don’t Break Britain campaign aimed at uniting everyone fighting to maintain the elements of a fair society and a cohesive community in the face of this onslaught. Unite will support any of its members that wish to take industrial action to save the one million jobs at threat across the public sector and to protect their pay and conditions. Indeed, I believe such action will likely prove inevitable.’ He then added ‘But we will also campaign alongside those who cannot go on strike – those dependent on benefits, people on NHS waiting lists, school children deprived of sports facilities, pensioners anxious about fuel bills. Don’t Break Britain will be about our union with its roots in the communities placing itself at the heart of the growing movement of resistance to the cuts.’
iting everyone fighting to maintain the elements of a fair society and a cohesive community in the face of this onslaught. Unite will support any of its members that wish to take industrial action to save the one million jobs at threat across the public sector and to protect their pay and conditions. Indeed, I believe such action will likely prove inevitable.’ He then added ‘But we will also campaign alongside those who cannot go on strike – those dependent on benefits, people on NHS waiting l
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