How We’d Run A Public Sector Pay Campaign

How Would We Do It? If we were in charge of developing a strategy to win on public sector pay what would we do? How would our class struggle approach to trade unions deliver for us workers?

The approach of the trade union leaders is to treat workers as a stage army that they pull out of a box when they want to pressure the government but then put back in as soon as they get a whiff of an offer.

This demoralises workers and leads to worse outcomes for the worker movement. Members get used to the rhythm of token mobilisations pulled just as the movement is building up a head of steam.

The first thing a fighting union movement would need to do is to clarify to members that this is a serious fight that is going all the way until victory. What counts as victory should be defined by members at union wide meetings that ask members what counts as an above inflation pay rise for them?

The pre-ballot period should be filled with meetings and discussions in workplaces and be used to not only enthuse members for the fight ahead but to recruit and expand the union network in every workplace.

Once the ballots are done an initial roadmap for action should be announced that outlines the upcoming strike action will be all out until the government concedes and asks members to start serious preparations in each workplace.

Rallies should be held sector by sector with passionate speeches and real life experience related from the top table to light a fire in the movement and prepare for the pickets.

The mobilisation of members should be seen as a whole union issue with union members from other sectors, private and community, mobilised to spread the word that a fight is coming and instructing them in ways they can show solidarity with the strike.

A series of mass protests should be organised to coincide with the strike but not as token shows of strength to replace strike action. Tens of thousands of public sector workers, from street cleaners to nurses, marching to the Dáil would inspire massive public support.

Union members from other sectors should distribute union flyers around their own workplaces and housing estates to encourage public support and increase pressure on the government to surrender.

As the strike goes on workers could collect petitions of support and donations for a strike fund from workplaces and estates.

The message should be simple: when workers fight together, as a class, we can win.

If the government makes an offer below that agreed by members pickets are not pulled in a show of “good will”. This never works and always demoralises members. This is what happened to the school secretaries and caretakers only a year ago.

The government only senses weakness when we do this. Pickets stay on until we get what we want. The government needs to know we mean business. That’s how you beat them.

Any offer should be voted on by members after detailed discussion at mass meetings of sectors and at workplaces. Only after a deal is signed do pickets go.

After success the unions involved should call victory rallies in cities and towns across Ireland showing the union movement is capable of taking a lead in the fight of the wider working class against an establishment that’s in the pockets of the bosses, public and private.

We would show that a united worker movement is key to winning on housing and every other issue that impacts all workers in Ireland.

Victory isn’t just about winning a particular dispute but leaving the working class in a stronger position with a confident grassroots membership with deeper roots in workplaces.

That’s what we’d do.

But we’re a long, long way from controlling the mechanisms of the unions. The only way we’ll get to the point where we can pursue winning strategies is if grassroots workers come together and organise across every union.

That’s what the Red Network is trying to start. It’ll be hard work. But what we can achieve together would be mighty if we can do it. If you agree with this, join us today.