Stephen Smellie argues unions are predisposed to progressive ends and this presents opportunities
The referendum presented trade unions with challenges and opportunities. Those unions who, with varying degrees of consultation with their Scottish members, responded to the challenge and opted to support the ‘No’ campaign, and some the Better Together campaign itself, failed to take the opportunity. Thankfully these were a minority of unions.
Those unions, like UNISON, Unite, PCS, and as well as the STUC, who grasped the opportunity to engage in a discussion with their members on the kind of Scotland they wanted to see and then to influence the debate on how best to achieve this, managed to raise the aspirations of their members and to shift the referendum debate towards a trade union agenda of social justice and a fair society. The Yes campaign moved to a more social justice stance so that a contact of mine in Ontario has described it as a ‘referendum on inequality’. This explains why so many trade union activists, an overwhelming majority in my experience, voted ‘yes’.
Unfortunately, the response from Better Together, and even those who sought to distance themselves from Better Together on the ‘No’ side, was less positive as they continued to rely upon a wholly negative message, failing to raise aspirations of how things could get ‘Better’ and relying on a message that things would get worse with a ‘yes’ vote. The consequences for Labour we wait to see. However when Labour, and those trade unions that supported ‘No’, spend so much time and energy seeking to suppress rather than raise expectations the likelihood is that they will find support drifting away.
On the ‘Yes’ side emerged a vibrant and robust energised support seeking independence as a way to get rid of Trident, protect the NHS, free personal care and free higher education, or just generally to move in the direction of a more fair and more just society. It was a positive, enthusiastic and progressive movement. The ‘No’ side raised fears about pensions, prices and pounds but were never able to answer the $64m question, namely, ‘If we are to be Better Together, why are we not better now?’. As trade unions we seek to raise aspirations and encourage members to fight for a fairer workplace, community and society. Of course, trade unionists were therefore more attracted to ‘Yes’ than ‘No’.
In the week after the result we have had fascist loyalists causing havoc on the streets of Glasgow, Labour committing to cutting Child Benefit and to austerity, the Tories and others demanding Barnet is replaced and Miliband supporting Cameron’s bloodlust in another war in the middle east. In addition, we have seen thousands joining ‘Yes’ supporting parties whilst the number of Labour members resigning must be significant.
Trade unions are again faced with challenges and opportunities. We should respond to the promise of new powers by reminding everyone that it is not what powers you want but what you want to do with the new powers that really and actually counts. A transfer of responsibilities without the powers to change is of no great benefit. A Scottish Parliament more responsible for implementing austerity is still implementing austerity. We want powers that allow a Scottish Parliament to take a different direction, namely, to develop our economy and workforce rather than destroying and impoverishing it.
Therefore, simply demanding delivery of last gasp pledges is not enough. We should question whether we are given the kind of powers we want, that is, powers to create a fairer and more equal society. So this means we need have economic powers to shape the economy and the labour market, labour and health and safety laws, an ability to restructure our tax base, amongst others.
The opportunity that presents itself to the trade unions is to try to find a way to engage with the vibrant and energised sections of the community who have demonstrated they wish to build a fairer society. These are the kind of people who we want in our ranks, to help us with our campaigns and to become our future leaders. In some ways, the trade unions are ideally placed to make the best of this opportunity. The issues that motivated people, saving the NHS, opposing TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership), greater democracy, a greener and more equal society are also are our issues and none of them can be advanced without the support of trade unions.
Trade unions should seek discussions with the young activists in the local Yes campaigns, and the Radical Independence Campaign supporters. The issues that motivated them to believe independence was an answer are still there and if they wish to build a campaign against TTIP or Trident or for greener communities the trade union movement should be with them, supporting them and acting with them. The ‘No’ vote was a disappointment and a missed opportunity but what we are left with is tremendously positive circumstances. Join a trade union, get active -fight for a fairer and more just future.
Stephen Smellie is a senior and longstanding public sector trade union activist