What would a Labour government mean for trade unions and NGOs?
The election is around the corner and the polls are expecting a clear Labour win. So what does that mean for unions and other NGOs? While can’t predict the future, we can explore some of the possibilities. Here’s a quick look at some areas where there could be massive wins for workers.
GB Energy
Labour has promised to create a nationalised energy company, with the intention of lowering bills and accelerating the transition to lower carbon energy. The details of this are yet to be published, but it seems from their manifesto that it will co-invest in energy projects. This is exciting! So much could rest on how it decides to invest in what projects. Unions could ensure that co-investments only go to projects that have stipulations around pay and terms and conditions. It could lead to a massive uplift in wages and job security across the board!
The transition away from fossil fuels needs to be fast, and it needs to be fair. GB Energy could create an enabling environment for it to be both. But any effort to improve the status quo will, of course, be met with opposition from the established power companies. It's important that unions and workers think about these things now so they can front-foot any organising efforts and help shape the conversation.
GB Rail
Labour have said that they will let the franchise rail contracts end as they expire, and bring all railways under a unified banner. This will be an “arms-length” body to run the railways. But by what mandate? Passenger satisfaction will hopefully be key. But the details of what else has yet to be released. There is a danger that if, like London buses, the lines are run by private contracts through a process of public tender, this could create some problems for unions. For example, in London, bus companies compete for routes on price. They want to undercut their competitors, but one of the only ways of doing that profitably is to keep wages low. This creates mixed incentives where in order to win contracts, workers have to suffer low wages and poor conditions! (Although, unions are resisting this with sector-wide organising.)
However, as Great British Rail takes shape, there’s again an opportunity for workers to help shape the conversation. Instead of a race to the bottom, GB Rail could be a race to top! It could insist that railways offer good, secure jobs to the people who keep them running on time and safely. The UK’s railway industry used to lead the world, but privatisation has bled it dry. This is a rare political moment to turn that around. Workers and unions can again be part of the renaissance of our railways.
Worker rights
The new Labour government has promised a radical rethink of working conditions and security in the UK. They have promised to repeal the worst of the anti-worker laws brought in by the Tories and re-shape how unions can organise, and the kind of flexibility and fairness that workers can expect. However some of these changes have yet to be finalised so there is potential to firm up the details in workers’ favour. Unions have opportunities to engage their membership, and perhaps the wider public and ensure that these changes are as bold as they can be. Collectively, we can work to make sure that workers rights in this country are turbocharged, and more of us can enjoy the security and prosperity that we all want.
The early days of a new government are always an exciting time to push for change. If you’ve got big, ambitious plans for your union or NGO, get in touch to discover how movement can help you.
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