Barber backs ‘Proud to serve the public’ campaign at North West TUC conference

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has paid tribute to the ‘Proud to serve the public‘ campaign.

He said the campaign had been launched “at a critical time for ordinary working people in this region and across Britain.”

Mr Barber added: “Our economy remains in intensive care. Our public services face devastating cuts. And in less than two months time, this country is likely to go to the polls in the most important election in a generation.

“It’s our job as trade unionists to speak up for the interests of ordinary workers. To make the case for jobs and skills, decent pay and pensions, equality and fairness.

“And, above all, to speak up for well-funded public services accessible to all – and with that in mind let me pay tribute to the “Proud to Serve the Public” campaign being run by public sector unions here in the North West.

“At a time when workers are under the cosh, when greedy bankers have caused so much damage, when the services we all depend on are at risk, we’ve got to show there can be another, better way – that out of despair can come hope.”

Mr Barber was speaking at the annual conference of the North West TUC held at Liverpool Town hall on Saturday.

He told more than 100 delegates from 28 unions, that while Britain had officially moved out of recession, two and a half million people were unemployed, including one in five young people.

Unemployment in the North West was now 289,000, or almost 9 per cent – one of the highest rates anywhere in the UK. There had been job losses at BAE Systems, Manchester Metropolitan University, Jaguar, and Bridgewater Paper in Ellesmere Port.

The Government’s fiscal stimulus – which the Conservatives had opposed – had ensured recession did not become depression.

But Mr Barber added: “Whereas the Tories would slash and burn their way to a double dip recession, Labour has rightly maintained public spending.

“Because at long last Labour has begun to find the confidence to articulate a more progressive vision; to stand up to the tyranny of the market; to use the power of the state to defend the public good; to embrace active policies for jobs, skills and industry.”

Mr Barber also backed the Robin Hood tax on the bankers who had caused the recession yet were still pocketing huge bonuses.

He said: “It’s only right that those who caused this crisis, who have been bailed out with our money, who even now continue to pay themselves obscene bonuses, are actually made to give something back to the rest of society, to make a fair and proper contribution to clearing up the mess they have landed us in.

“Whether you’re working class or middle class, whether you’re from a council estate or a suburb, whether you’re a blue-collar manual worker or a white-collar professional, there’s universal anger at what super-rich bankers and their friends have been allowed to get away with.”

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