{"id":23664,"date":"2020-09-15T12:42:59","date_gmt":"2020-09-15T11:42:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=23664"},"modified":"2020-09-15T16:02:18","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T15:02:18","slug":"labour-starmers-get-your-priorities-right-and-defeat-virus-call-to-johnson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=23664","title":{"rendered":"Labour Starmer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u015bget your priorities right and defeat virus\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 call to Johnson"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Calling on the government to replace the furlough scheme and outlaw \u00e2\u20ac\u0098firing and re-hiring\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 practices as part of a \u00e2\u20ac\u015bgenuine national plan\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 for jobs, Labour leader Keir Starmer\u00c2\u00a0 addressed the TUC today (Tuesday September 15) remotely.<\/p>\n

Starmer accused the Prime Minister of failing to get the basics of testing or a plan for care homes right over the summer \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and of attempting to \u00e2\u20ac\u015bre-open old wounds over Brexit.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Addressing the PM directly, he said, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bGet your priorities right. Get on with defeating this virus.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

In his address to Congress he thanked \u00e2\u20ac\u015bthe TUC and the trade union movement for everything you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done during this pandemic. As ever, when it came to protecting millions of jobs, and keeping people safe at work. It was the union movement that stood up.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Paying tribute to unions he said that without the movement, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bthere would have been no furlough scheme. No life-raft for seven million people. And let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face it, if it had been down to this government, it would have been sink or swim.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He said that trade unions have always been the unsung heroes of our national story. Referring to the pandemic he said that \u00e2\u20ac\u015bthrough this crisis you have helped to write another proud chapter.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

And most importantly, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bOur Party was born out of the trade unions, we are one family, one movement. And under my leadership, we will always stay that way.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

But he said the task ahead of us is huge. The devastating general election in December especially for the millions of working people who desperately need a Labour government.<\/p>\n

Working people let down <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bTime and time again, this government has let working people down. Britain shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have one of the highest death rates in the world. And one of the deepest recessions. We shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t leave our workers without protective equipment. We shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have failed the most vulnerable in our care homes. And people shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to traipse half-way round the country in search of a Covid test when they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sick.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He said that Boris Johnson had failed on all counts.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAs infection rates rise and our testing system collapses, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s his priority?\u00c2\u00a0Reopening old wounds on Brexit, trashing Britain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s reputation abroad, and making it harder for us to get the trade deal we all want.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

His message to the PM was simple, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bGet your priorities right. Get on with defeating this virus.\u00c2\u00a0And get the Brexit deal you promised.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Starmer believes this crisis has exposed the total incompetence of this government \u00e2\u20ac\u201c but it also exposed something much deeper \u00e2\u20ac\u201c \u00e2\u20ac\u015bThe ingrained injustices and inequalities we see all around us.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He spoke out against the devastating effects of austerity which left us, the sixth richest country in the world, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bwoefully unprepared for this crisis.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Tough on workers <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It was tough on our workers. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bOur economy is one where the workers we applaud are overworked, underpaid and undervalued. Where many lack basic rights and security at work. Where millions of people are one missed pay-packet away from hardship. And where too few are able to save for their future and their retirement.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Labour was determined to change this. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bAfter all the sacrifice and the loss, we can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go back to business as usual, or defend the status quo.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go back to a society where over half of care workers earn less than the living wage. A country where we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t invest in our public services for a decade, but now expect our front line workers to protect us.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

It was time now to change this. There was a better way and he wanted Labour and trade unions to work together to achieve this.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe can start that work today by setting out what the government must do now to protect millions of jobs. Because we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on the precipice of a return to Thatcher-era unemployment,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he warned.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0098Scarring effect\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Starmer continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe know only too well the scarring effect mass unemployment will have on communities and families across the country. We can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let it happen again.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAnd we can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let the Tories use this crisis as an excuse to weaken workers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 rights, hold back planned rises in the living wage, or embark on a fresh round of austerity.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He said that Labour understood the furlough scheme couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go on as it is forever \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and the virus was still with us and worsening.<\/p>\n

Millions of workers and particular sectors of our economy \u00e2\u20ac\u201c like retail, aviation, hospitality, were facing great difficulties. And, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt just isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t possible to get back to work or reopen businesses. It makes no sense at all for the government to pull support away now.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

A better way is possible<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

He said that with a little imagination a better way is possible.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why today,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Starmer declared, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m calling for the government to work with us. To create new, targeted support that can replace the Job Retention Scheme, and to develop this through urgent talks with trade unions, businesses and the Labour Party, so that we can deliver direct support and training to those who need it, and prevent mass unemployment.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Labour would look at the different options that have been put forward \u00e2\u20ac\u201c including Unite\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s idea of short time working as in the German Kurzarbeit scheme.<\/p>\n

It would, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bExpand part-time working and reward employers who keep people on rather than cutting jobs. Provide training and support for those who can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come back full-time. And target those sectors most in need \u00e2\u20ac\u201c for example retail, hospitality, aviation and those hit by local lockdowns, providing certainty for workers and businesses.<\/p>\n

Unity of purpose was key. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bAt this moment of national crisis, we should\u00c2\u00a0be willing to put party differences aside, and work together in the interest of the country. Imagine how powerful it would be.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIf we could form a genuine national plan to protect jobs, create new ones and invest in skills and training? So, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m making an open offer to the Prime Minister: work with us to keep millions of people in work. Work with the trade unions,\u00c2\u00a0and work with businesses. Do everything possible to protect jobs and to deliver for working people.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0098Outlaw fire and re-hire tactics\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

But there was something crucial the government had to do, something Unite has also demanded \u00e2\u20ac\u201c \u00e2\u20ac\u015bOutlaw \u00e2\u20ac\u015bfire and re-hire\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 tactics. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve seen this happening already\u00c2\u00a0where thousands of workers have been issued redundancy notices and offered new contracts on worse pay and conditions.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He especially referred to Unite\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s campaign against these practices in BA and said that it proved \u00e2\u20ac\u015bthe importance of strong trade unions in defending working people.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bFire and re-hire\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 tactics are wrong and should also be illegal. These tactics punish good employers, hit working people hard and harm our economy.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

He called on the government to act now. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bIntroduce legislation to end fire and re-hire,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he demanded and \u00e2\u20ac\u015bgive working people the security they need.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

The next few months were going to be \u00e2\u20ac\u015brocky\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 under the \u00e2\u20ac\u015bmost incompetent government I can remember. And we face the perfect storm of the biggest economic, health and social challenge for a generation.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

Unity was the watchword of the day. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bLabour and the trade union movement need to stand together like never before.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll fight to protect jobs, incomes and working conditions at this time of national crisis. And show that there is a better, fairer society to come.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThat is our mission,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he concluded.<\/p>\n

‘On the side of working people’<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey welcomed Starmer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s words. He said, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis was a good speech which showed Keir to be absolutely on the side of working people.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAn unemployment tsunami is looming and I very much welcome the Labour Party\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s campaign to save working people from the scourge of mass unemployment by fighting for a new job protection scheme with targeted, sector support for those industries that need it most.<\/p>\n

“Failure to do so is to let the historic investment to save jobs made by UK taxpayers go to waste, and worse, will let working communities slide into decline. With political will, that can be averted.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI also welcome Keir\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s condemnation of the increasing use of fire and rehire tactics to hammer wages and conditions, and his call today for this to be outlawed by the government. It is a despicable and immoral practice that is spreading through the public and private sector and must be made illegal.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI call on employer organisations and MPs from all parties to work together to put pressure on the government to defend our workforce in a way that Germany, France, Spain and other European countries are doing. UK workers must not, once again be treated as second class citizens and they must not be forced to pay for this crisis,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 added McCluskey.<\/p>\n

Compiled by Amanda Campbell @amanda_unite<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Calling on the government to replace the furlough scheme and outlaw \u00e2\u20ac\u0098firing and re-hiring\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 practices as part of a \u00e2\u20ac\u015bgenuine national plan\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 for jobs, Labour leader Keir Starmer\u00c2\u00a0 addressed the TUC today (Tuesday September 15) remotely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23671,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[1205,1295,1330,1318,1419],"wps_subtitle":"Leader hails unions as \u00e2\u20ac\u015bunsung heroes of our national story\u00e2\u20ac\u0165","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23664"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23664"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23664\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23681,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23664\/revisions\/23681"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/23671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}