Seeing off Tory threats with unity

In a packed university auditorium, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady spoke boldly and honestly about the future of trade unions and the threats it would face if the Tories were to keep power.

The event, last Friday evening (February 20) was held at the University of Sheffield by research group SPERI to discuss alternative ways of thinking about current economic and political challenges.
“There are cracks in the old order,” Frances said. “Ordinary people are fed up with being ripped off and feel a strong disaffection with formal politics.”

Speaking on Conservative Party plans to restrict workers’ rights to take action in their workplaces, Frances assured the audience that this is because of the fear of unions’ collective power – and she encouraged it to be seen as an opportunity.

“We know that the Tories have set out to attack the fundamental rights of trade unions – this is because we are the last line of defence for working people,” Frances said.

Building unity

“But this is a time of transition and we have an opportunity to make a new deal for people, but the only way is through practical solutions, in organising and building unity.”

Frances answered questions from the audience and addressed key debates on the challenges to democracy, climate change, economic inequality and the trade union movement.

One member of the audience asked if Frances agreed that widespread disillusion with politics is threatening our democracy.

“The high numbers of people who do not vote aren’t doing that because they are apathetic,” she replied. “They are angry with the government and fed up with politics not working for them.”

Frances observed how the only way to restore equality and safeguard democracy was to challenge the dangerous concentration of greed and power at the top.

“The reality is that you cannot redistribute wealth unless we are prepared to redistribute power,” she added.