[A-List] UK labour movement: anti-war plans

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Unions threaten anti-war strikes
Warning as Blair is accused of not listening to the people, writes MICHAEL
SETTLE
The Herald, 11 February 2003

THE prospect of widespread industrial unrest if Britain went to war against
Iraq was raised by union leaders yesterday. Demanding the recall of the
Trade Union Congress for an emergency meeting, they warned Tony Blair that,
if he took the country into conflict without the overwhelming support of the
British people, then "massive" strikes could take place.

Five general secretaries stopped short of actively encouraging industrial
action at a Stop The War Coalition press conference ahead of this Saturday's
anti-war rallies in Glasgow and London, when an estimated one million people
are expected to join the protest.

However, Mick Rix, the leader of the rail union Aslef, said some workers
were already refusing to move materials that could be used in a conflict.

Paul Mackney, of the lecturers' union Natfhe, warned of widespread
industrial action if the prime minister went to war against the country's
wishes.

"It is not appropriate for us today to issue a specific call to industrial
action," Mr Mackney noted, but he added that the day any war started could
see "massive protests in every industry against it". Bob Crow, leader of the
RMT rail union, compared the anti-war movement to the Romanian revolution
which ended with the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu.

The left wing union chief insisted Mr Blair was not listening to the public
and warned him: "Look at what happened in Eastern Europe when people didn't
listen."

Billy Hayes, of the Communication Workers' Union, and Mark Serwotka, of the
PCS civil servants' union, also attended the press conference. The union
chiefs said the TUC constitution provided for a recall in the face of
conflict and argued it should be enacted to help prevent military action
against Iraq.

Mr Hayes said anti-war sentiment was comparable with that at the time of the
Suez crisis, which cost Anthony Eden his premiership, and Mr Mackney warned:
"Unless Blair changes course, Blair will fall on this."

The five urged their 750,000-strong membership and as many members of the
public as possible to turn out in support of the anti-war demonstrations
planned for the weekend.

Last night, Bill Speirs, leader of the Scottish TUC, said the issue of
possible industrial action should the prime minister take the country to war
against Iraq had "never been raised" with his organisation, emphasising it
was up to individual unions to decide what to do in such circumstances.

He did, however, point out the strong opposition to a war with Iraq among
Scottish trade unionists, many of whom felt, he said, that any military
conflict was based on "American oil interests" and would be "potentially
disastrous".

Mr Speirs will be taking part in the Glasgow anti-war protest and intends to
be one of the rally speakers.

The "not in our name Mr Blair" protest will involve a "Jericho rumpus" when
demonstrators, armed with horns and drums, will surround the SECC, where
Labour's spring conference will be held and where the prime minister is due
to speak on Saturday.