The continuing relevance of unions?‏

Recent articles in Tribune and Progress have assessed the continuing relevance of unions to economic, political and social progress.

Veteran journalist and author Geoffrey Goodman argues that trade unions were essential to 'the survival of Britain as a democracy' in the twentieth century and urges the new generation of trade unionists to 'to raise horizons beyond the routine and demonstrate that working people do possess a vital platform which for too long has been sidelined and weakened by a lack of political courage within the labour movement, as well as by the power of capital': http://www.tribunemagazine.co.uk/2010/11/trade-union-unions-are-essential-for-any-democracy/

Hannah Blythyn, writing in Progress, makes a timely case for the trade union Labour link when it is under attack from both within the Labour Party and from the Conservative Liberal Coalition.

Blythyn locates her arguments in the present day era of austerity arguing 'as we face the biggest cuts in a generation should we not be looking at ‘party reform' as a means of addressing how we can better work together as a united movement? This is what we should be addressing, rather than making the wrong argument and giving out the wrong message about breaking the link.

'Far from being irrelevant, in the face of growing and formidable attacks on pay, pensions, conditions, jobs and services in the public and private sector, unions are becoming - and need to become - increasingly relevant. In light of this, we need to build upon the links between the Labour party and the unions, not dismantle them':  http://www.progressives.org.uk/columns/column.asp?c=544