The wide observance of the work to rule by public service workers is a testament to the anger felt at a slashing of their pay by more than 15% last year.
While opprobrium is being poured on low paid workers in the Passport Office, egged on by the media, record losses in Anglo are due to be announced heralding a further taxpayer bailout. It’s clear to me where the wider public’s anger needs to be directed.
However, while the work to rule has had an effect, it will not be sufficient to force a retreat by the government, strike action will be needed.
Strike action should take place with the aim of reversing the cuts and protecting working conditions. I make this point because the current negotiating position of the trade union leadership is to reverse the cuts in return for the “public service reform” they had on offer before the budget alongside the unpaid leave offer which amounted to a pay cut by another name. This is a totally inadequate position and I welcome motions going to the CPSU conference mandating the union not to countenance this strategy. An active struggle will be required by rank and file trade unionists to prevent any sell out deal.
Joe Higgins is due to address a fringe meeting organised for CPSU activists at this weekend’s National Conference
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