‘Where greed can lead’

Speaking in support of a motion on the Grenfell tower disaster, Unite delegate Jim Kelly today (September 11) paid tribute to all who were tragically killed in the fire, including the many trade union members, some of whom were members of Unite, who perished, and others still who are now traumatised by the blaze or not yet accounted for.

 
He praised the response of the West London and Camden Unite Community branches who went to Grenfell on the morning of the fire to volunteer.

 
“As clothing and food began to be provided in sufficient amounts our members began organising other practical support – for example, providing 100 safety masks for other volunteers,” Kelly noted.

“Unite is now concentrating on providing counselling, legal and financial support to our members and working closely with the residents, supporting them through the grieving process and as they seek answers; they also have acute housing and financial needs.”

 
Kelly explained that as a trade union, Unite understands how the tragedy sits in the “broader context of deregulation and the barriers ordinary people face in getting justice.”

 
He told Congress how in 2014, then prime minister David Cameron boasted of scrapping over 3,000 regulations, mostly in the building industry as part of his Housing Standards Review.

 
“This crude and reckless attack by the Conservative Party had the clear motive of increasing the profits of large firms in the construction industry,” Kelly argued. “Over 100 buildings have failed the safety tests on the cladding on buildings.

 
“Privatisation and deregulation is scarring our housing market – just the other week Haringey council privatised its housing stock to a company with a track record of corrupt practices in Australia and New York.”

 
Kelly called for the public inquiry of the Grenfell tragedy to address this wider context of deregulation to prevent another fire and further loss of life.

 
Such an inquiry, he said, must involve community representatives and trade unions so that “the residents get the justice and answers they deserve — after their own complaints about safety were ignored.

 
“Grenfell was a tragedy that has highlighted where greed can lead,” Kelly told Congress. “It is part of the pattern of what occurs when working class people’s voices are ignored, their concerns dismissed, by those in power.

 
“Yet, the response by ordinary people has shown the power of solidarity and collective action as people organised to support the residents,” he added.

 
Calling on Congress to support the motion, he said trade unions must act to ensure justice and the needs of Grenfell’s residents are met. He also called for the election of a Labour government, which, he said, “will end the race to the bottom in deregulation and privatisation” and will commit to “providing a safe, secure home for all and access to justice for all.”

The motion was passed.