North West regional council meets in Preston

At yesterday UNISON's North West, union President Angela Lynes launched a blistering attack on the Con Dem's destruction of public services, speaking movingly of the massive damage they are doing across the country to working families. She also blasted David Cameron’s attempt at building harmony by attacking multiculturalism.

On a day when the English Defence League were causing a riot in Luton she suggested he “go and join them on their march”.

Angela was appalled at the way the North West appears targeted by the cuts and pledged solidarity with the people of Liverpool who, 40 miles away, were protesting with a 2,000 strong anti-cuts rally addressed by Tony Benn. Concerned that more people appear worried about the sale of forests and not the wholesale destruction of the National Health Service, she gave a detailed explanation of the extent of the privatisation proposed and the cuts it now faces.

That was the perfect introduction to the Regional Council agreeing its two national delegate conference motions on ‘Our NHS Our Future’ and ‘Campaigning against the Tory led Government’

The other highlight of the Council was a lively debate on a motion proposed by the Bolton branch. Mainly restating existing policy it did go on to urge the Region ‘to support calls to build momentum for a General Strike to defend jobs and services and pensions’ and called for more Regional Council meetings. In an incoherent moving speech the Branch gave no explanation as to who was calling for such an approach and why it was felt such an abstract demand would have any resonance with the majority of the 200,000 UNISON members in the North West.

Glen Williams, Eddy Redmond and Angela Bowen all spoke clearly about the need to build our union strength locally, increase members collective confidence and build for generalised industrial action with as many disputes and unions coming together at the same time. That approach was overwhelmingly supported and the motion suitably amended.

The Council ended by echoing Angela Lynes call for everyone to march in March (26th) and by agreeing to send a message of support to all those anti fascists countering the EDL in Luton.