Unite's general secretary Sharon Graham has launched a scathing attack on the Labour Government, warning that workers could "turn their backs" on the party. The senior union leader accused ministers of targeting some of the poorest in society whilst leaving the wealthy unaffected.
Graham told the TUC Congress in Brighton that unions had initially welcomed the new Labour Government to end years of Conservative "chaos" and austerity. She said the country was "crying out" for change after workers had been relegated to the back of the queue.
Sharp criticism of government priorities
The Unite leader expressed bewilderment at the Government's approach to different social groups. She said: "I do not understand how a Labour Government have been attacking some of poorest in our society - pensioners, the disabled - whilst leaving the super-rich totally untouched."
Graham delivered a stark warning about the political consequences of current policies. She declared: "What the hell are Labour doing? Yes, Britain is broken. Yes, the Tories are to blame. But Labour is in government now and they cannot keep making everyday people pay. Different choices must be made or workers and the working class will turn their backs on Labour."
Birmingham strike as key example
The Unite leader highlighted the ongoing strike by bin workers in Birmingham as evidence of Labour's problematic approach. She accused the Labour-controlled council, supported by the Labour Government, of using Margaret Thatcher's anti-trade union laws to try and "break" picket lines.
Graham outlined the workers' dire situation, explaining they had been told to accept an £8,000 annual pay cut representing a quarter of their wages. She warned: "This will mean homes gone. Mortgages and rent that cannot be paid."
The union leader characterised the dispute as the beginning of local government workers paying for "incompetent decisions, years of austerity and council debt". She cautioned: "Make no mistake, if they get away with this in Birmingham it will spread."
Graham revealed that any fines Unite faces over the strike would be paid from the union's affiliation fees to the Labour Party.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
