Len McCluskey: Resistance only way to defend all we hold
dear from feral ruling class
11 September 2011
Speaking ahead of this year’s Trades Union Congress, the
leader of the country’s biggest union, Unite, warned that
government’s continued attacks on working people - including
the attacks on public sector pensions - will provoke unrest.
Len McCluskey said: “All that this country has held dear for
65 years – education for all, our NHS, decent jobs and pensions in
retirement, a future for our kids – is under attack.
“It is under attack by a government with no mandate and a
feral ruling class that is being allowed to duck its duty to
society.
“This abuse of the struggling many by the cushioned,
untouchable few is causing division and stoking anger – little
wonder that working people will be forced to stand up and defend
what is rightfully theirs.
"Unite rejects the dogma of despair and fear peddled by this
government. Let's explode some of the myths surrounding the
poison government is spreading on public sector pensions.
These are not gold-plated CEOs of FTSE 100 companies. These
are dinner ladies who if they are lucky will earn a
pension of £4000 - and this government is planning to slash this
further still.
"I for one do not my grandchildren to be asking "what did you
do to stop this abuse and to stop my heritage being taken away?"
and for me to reply 'nothing'.
"So, we rule nothing in or nothing out. From civil
disobedience to industrial action, this is the moment we defend
what is decent and fair.”
Unite has some 250,000 members in the public sector. Len
McCluskey will lead tomorrow's Congress debate on trade union
rights with a call to
resist government attacks on employment rights.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861
Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
