‘It’s war on working class’ alert

Published: 03 June 2010
by TOM FOOT

THE working class is facing its “biggest attack” in living memory, a meeting of Camden union leaders has been told.

Representatives of a dozen unions in Camden – with members among postal workers, train drivers, teachers, lecturers, students and bus drivers – vowed to resist any threat to public services by joining forces. The union members agreed to a day of protest on June 22, the date savage cuts to the public sector are expected to be announced by Chancellor George Osborne. John Reid, of Camden RMT, said: “This is the biggest attack on the working class in my life. They have declared war on us.” The King’s Cross Neighbourhood Association meeting on Tuesday heard that the emergency budget will “condemn workers to the dole” but that battles could be won if unions backed each other in disputes.

The meeting was called in support of British Airways cabin crews. A striking Unite member, who cannot be named publicly, described the scrapping of travel subsidies – cheap seats offered to crew members – as “intimidation”, adding that it was “one rule for cabin crew, another for the high paid”. George Binette, chairman of Camden Trades Union Council, said: “What has happened to BA crew can happen to any one of you.” He gave a £580 cheque from Camden Unison to help with the strike.