Trade unions begin plans for fightback

Merseyside County Association of Trades Union Councils in Liverpool hosted a conference to plan a day of action which, despite chaotic rail services and blocked motorways due to the weather, drew more than 100 trade union delegates from across the region.

Unite union general secretary Len McCluskey revealed three unions Civil Service union PCS, Unite and the GMB were in talks about organising co-ordinated strikes by key workers which could have a major impact.

And delegates unanimously supported Liverpool TUC's motion calling for a general strike.

The motion noted Europe's trans-European anti-austerity general strike on November 14 involving millions of workers, as well as the turnout of hundreds of thousands at the TUC March for the Alternative demonstration in London on October 20 last year.

It said growing anger against the government "mean that it is time to turn words into action and begin the process or organising a general strike."

It put forward a six-point plan including a Day of Action on May 1 - International Workers' Day - to be backed by regional TUCs and the TUC nationally.

And it suggested that once the date had been decided each major town and city should organise a convention of delegates from all affiliated unions.

It said: "Action should consist not only of strikes, pickets and demonstrations but of a range of trade union and community cultural activities showcasing the alternative the unions offer to the policies of austerity."

It said the day of action should be publicised across Europe with the hope of repeating the trans-European strike.