Composite B (covering Motions 3 & 98)
Trade Unions in Communities
“That this Congress applauds the recent coming together of civil society and community organisations under the campaign initiated by the STUC ‘Scotland Demands Better’, challenging the ongoing cost-of-living crisis in our communities.
“Congress notes the alarming growth of support for the far-right in many communities around Scotland as genuine concerns about housing, jobs, living costs, security, and the NHS are hijacked by right-wing and fascist forces who will do nothing to improve the lives of working-class people.
“Congress recognises the local campaigning work, often spearheaded by trades councils, to combat the rise of the far-right and demand economic and social justice as an alternative to attacks on minority groups.
“Congress regrets the centralisation of resources and political power which has disempowered councils and local communities and is a key driver of the loss of political trust in our system.
“Congress notes with concern that the government has done too little to raise living standards and promote community cohesion for the mass of the people, while shielding the utility firms, energy multinationals, and banks who profiteer off the British economy, working people and small businesses.
“Congress notes further concern that the growth of Reform and other far-right organisations across Europe is being funded and supported by sections of big business, particularly tech companies in the USA, together with US evangelical conservative organisations.
“Congress reiterates its support for funding and democratic mechanisms which return power to local authorities including reforms to local taxation, control over local service provision, transport municipalisation, and energy related activity.
“Congress recognises that over the past generation, along with other key democratic, civic, and cultural organisations, the strength of trade unions has diminished in communities.
“Congress believes that unions can play a key role in communities by supporting the refoundation and growth of trades councils, supporting and unifying community campaigning groups and assisting the development of community organisations around progressive campaigns to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
“Congress welcomes the formation of the Together Coalition as a mobilising focus for anti-racist and anti-fascist forces, but notes that unless progressive organisations are able to sink roots in communities across the UK and offer meaningful alternatives to the domination of big business, the organised power of big business will further assist the growth of the far-right.
“Though limited, the Employment Rights Act provides opportunities to engage at community level to support more workers in realising their rights, and in translating that support to grow trade union membership through organising and expanding collective bargaining in Scotland.
“Congress believes that alongside trades councils, projects such as Inverclyde Advice & Employment Rights Centre, Edinburgh Support at Work, and newly emergent Trade Unions in the Community initiatives, provide the basis for expanding trade union activity and co-operation locally.
“Congress calls on the General Council to:
- work with affiliates to promote and increase affiliation to Trades Councils and support and engage in their activities;
- continue the ‘Our Rights in Action’ project to build trade union resources and presence in local communities;
- bring forward new resources and organising training opportunities to support affiliated unions and Trades Councils;
- campaign to ensure government and politicians recognise and support greater trade union presence within local communities;
- support the Together Alliance; and
- identify priority communities for joint union work to promote community organisation and re-establish lapsed Trades Councils.”
Mover: STUC General Council
Seconder: North Lanarkshire Trades Union Council
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