TUC must battle the EU's policies

The Social Chapter was always intended as a bait to catch the trade unions in its net and make them partners in the EU policy of a capitalist superstate run on behalf of transnational companies and financial institutions.

Now that the mask has been discarded we see what the EU is all about - most dramatically in Greece.

Greeks have already lived through five years of austerity cuts and are now expected to suffer deeper cuts for at least another eight years.

We need to learn this lesson before Britain ends up in the same position. We are already on a slippery slope with the current cuts.

To change the situation here the TUC must be pressed to reject the EU Social Chapter instead of wasting time, recources and union funds trying to resurrect it - it's a hopeless task.

The labour movement should also demand that the TUC leads a real fightback against the cuts and the privatisation of the NHS. This will also mean campaigning against the anti-trade union laws to give unions maximum freedom of action.

We must also urge the TUC to publicly campaign for the alternative policy outlined in the People's Charter and backed by last year's TUC congress.

We should end the situation where the TUC decides which of its policies to campaign on and which not to. It's hardly democratic.

Finally, the TUC needs to contact the Greek trade unions and ask them what practical support Britain can give the Greek people rather than watch them being crucified.

Ron Dorman
Birmingham