In a big boost to the progressive case for ‘In’ Unite, the UK’s biggest union, has announced it will be campaigning for Britain to remain part of the European Union in the forthcoming referendum.
Unite’s 63-strong NEC, which represents workers from across the country, agreed that while the EU needed urgent reform, continuing membership was the best hope for the jobs and rights of workers.
General secretary Len McCluskey said: “It cannot be denied that the European Union has a great deal of work to do to convince its peoples that it is functioning in their interests.
“The punishing treatment meted out to Greece when it needed assistance not austerity, the enduing indulgence of austerity even though this is eliminating Eurozone growth, and the EU’s gross failure to address the urgent humanitarian crisis on its borders – these all illustrate the need for this union of nations to urgently rediscover its original mission of solidarity and shared prosperity.
“It is undeniable, however, that for millions of UK workers and their families, the EU is the best hope for their jobs and fundamental rights. Our communities clearly benefit from the investment and trade links that come with being part of the EU.
“Our working people are in increasing need of the employment rights that flow from membership. Rest assured that outside of the EU, left at the mercy of a Conservative government, these protections will be swept away.”
18th March 2016