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Politics
Using the European
& you
Union to help workers
■ GMB and the Labour Party
MEP Glenis Willmott explains how Labour uses the EU as a force for good
Whether you love or hate the
European Union, it’s essential
What does your
that we use EU institutions in
our perennial fi ght for the rights
MEP do?
of working people. ■ Glenis Willmott is Labour
Over the years, Labour MEPs MEP for the East Midlands and
have been part of this fi ght, North Derbyshire. She was
which I am participating in as formerly a Senior Organiser
the Labour MEP for the East for GMB.
Midlands and North Derbyshire.
Laws originating in Europe have ■ MEPs vote on legislation
given us equal rights for part- that is binding across the EU.
timers, shorter working hours,
Labour MEP for the East
Midlands and North
EU laws are made by MEPs and
improved maternity provisions, a Derbyshire, Glenis Willmott. UK government ministers.
right to paid holidays and more.
and crystalline silica. However, disabled, migrant labour and ■ The EU has no role in
New proposals agreed Parliament agreed to introduce temporary agency workers. housing, education, the
My recent report, passed by the targets to reduce accidents in NHS, the armed services and
European Parliament in January, the workplace by 25%. Similar Continuing the fi ght national taxes. The areas
was an important step in this targets for reducing occupational These are the politics that count covered by EU legislation
fi ght, as it addresses priorities in diseases were agreed, plus action and Labour MEPs will once include consumer protection,
the area of workplace health and regarding musculoskeletal again be in the forefront when environmental standards
safety over the next fi ve years. disorders, carcinogens and better the Commission brings forward and social rights.
Unfortunately, the Tories and protection for pregnant women. specifi c legislation on these
the Lib Dems voted down my I have also called for special matters – doing what we can, in For more details visit
proposals for action on third- attention to be paid to vulnerable the European arena, to improve www.gleniswillmott.org.uk
party violence, nanotechnologies groups of workers, including the the lives of working people.
Getting Labour back on track
Regional Political Offi cer Steve Jennings explains why Labour’s recent poor showing
in the polls is bad news for its workers and bodes badly for the country as a whole
The voters have spoken and no-one is saying give value for money. It is like the story of Despite retaining 50 Labour councillors,
‘three cheers’ for the Labour Party. There is the emperor’s new clothes: Gordon Brown’s Rotherham was the fi rst local authority in
now a real threat of a return of a Conservative advisors have been dressing him as a Tory South Yorkshire to see the BNP gain two
government for the fi rst time since 1997, and convincing him that he looks great. The seats. On a happier note, Labour MP Keith
which is really bad news for working people. recent local election results strongly suggest Wakefi eld and his GMB-supported team
Not least because David Cameron cannot that people can see right through Gordon’s held the line in Leeds with no losses.
be trusted. new outfi t. The electorate – those who bother
Cameron is a member of the infamous to vote, anyway – have decided that, if you A history lesson
Bullingham Club – as is London’s new want Tory policies then you should elect one The economy must not be left to market
Mayor, Boris Johnson – and the Tory leader’s or, even worse, vote for the far right. Labour’s forces, as the Northern Rock situation has
pampered upbringing has put him a million core voters stayed at home in protest and the proved, so why be in denial? The market must
miles away from the lives of ‘ordinary’ people. result was devastating losses in many areas. be regulated and the forces of capitalism kept
in check. Failure to respond to these forces
Public, not private Heavy local losses will only damage the lives and aspirations
To remain valid, the Labour leadership must Locally, the results speak for themselves. of the UK’s workers and allow the return of
stop moving to the right, privatising services Wakefi eld, a Labour stronghold for decades, a Thatcher-style government. It is said that
and contracting the work of public services was left in control of the council with a people who don’t heed the lessons of history
out to unaccountable quangoes who give vast majority of one. In Sheffi eld, Labour lost will make the same mistakes: Labour owe it
sums of taxpayers’ money to fi rms that don’t control for only the third time in history. to us all to make sure this doesn’t happen.
www.gmb.org.uk 25
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