Union Wars
The scene was set by an article which appeared in the Guardian newspaper that same day - written by Len McCluskey - the new general secretary of Unite.
The warlike heading - Unions, get set for battle - was provided by the paper's sub-editor, but accurately reflects the overall tone of the piece - here are a few extracts:
"Unions, get set for battle"
"Britain's students have certainly put the trade union movement on the spot. Their mass protests against the tuition fees increase have refreshed the political parts a hundred debates, conferences and resolutions could not reach.
The response of trade unions will now be critical. While it is easy to dismiss "general strike now" rhetoric from the usual quarters, we have to be preparing for battle.
The practical and legal hurdles cannot be dismissed. Thatcher's anti-union laws, left in place by New Labour, are on the statute book for just these occasions.
Unless people are convinced not just that they are hurting – not hard to do – but also that there is a coherent alternative to the Cameron-Clegg class war austerity, then getting millions into action will remain a pipedream. That alternative needs to be one the whole movement can unite around. A key part must be a rejection of the need for cuts. "What do we want? Fewer cuts later on", is not a slogan to set the blood coursing.
Trade unions need to reach out, too. Students have to know we are on their side. We must unequivocally condemn the behaviour of the police on the recent demonstrations. Kettling, batoning and mounted charges against teenagers have no place in our society."
Now as Unite general secretary Len McCluskey's job is to speak up for his members.
But let's remember that Len was elected by 6.8% of his total membership on a overall turnout of 16% - see post dated 24 November 2010.
So best not to get too carried away - with all this wild talk about manning the barricades.
The other issue worth mentioning is whether or not Len is actually on the same planet as the majority of Unite members - because not even the Labour party is advocating a policy of absolutely 'no cuts'.
In which case whose views is Len actually representing - his own or his members?
Likewise on the issue of trade union ballots - because having an individual secret ballot before embarking on strike action is viewed as a good thing - by most union members.
So why would a union leader - representing his members' views - want to sweep these democratic safeguards away?
