Open
World Conference of Workers
In Defense of Trade Union Independence & Democratic Rights
Interview with Geoff Martin
Interview with Geoff Martin, Convenor, London Unison (public sector
union). The interview was conducted by Jean-Pierre Barrois of the British
Committee of the ILC.
Question: Can you tell me why - as a trade unjonist - you supported the
massive anti war demonstration organised in London on September 28?
Geoff Martin: We have to oppose the war. The US government are only
interested in boosting the profits of the oil companies and the rest of
the corporate sector.
Blair and Bush see the war as an opportunity to divert attention from
their attacks on public sector and on workers rights. Bush has already
used the war as an opportunity to break the US dockers strike. Blair may
try the same with our firefighters who are certian to be out on strike
within the next two weeks.
Do you have any comment on the massive opposition to war shown at the
Labour Party Conference by the 40% votes who opposed the
resolution on the intervention against Iraq ?
The trade unions are at last representing their members views. The success
of ledt candidates in unions like AMICUS and the PCS has shifted the whole
movement leftwards
Question: Following what took place at the TUC Congress, one of the major
events at the Labour Party conference was Blair's defeat over PFI.
Could you comment on this vote ? Could you explain its importance to trade
unjonists from other European countries ? what is at stake ? etc...
Geoff Martin: Blair is ignoring the conference vote on PFI and its now up
to the unions to turn up the pressure and that means strike action. The
vote was solid amongst the unions but the ball is now in our court after
Blair and Brown snubbed it.
Part of the pressure on privatisation has to be international. We are
still failing to link up the workers across Europe who are working for the
same multi-national companies. That's crazy. We need that unity across the
globe.
Any other comment ?
The UK firefighters strike will be announced next week. This will be the
most important national UK action since the miners in 1984. We need
support from across the Europe and the rest of the world. Strikes are
springing up in all of the public services after years of being on the
defensive. It would be good to get the ball rolling with our comrades in
France and beyond.