NEC sets out our response to the economic crisis

Having discussed and developed a statement on the financial crisis at the policy committee yesterday, the NEC unanimously passed the statement today setting out our policy on behalf of the 1.4 million members we represent.

This comprehensive statement calls for ways of mitigating the worst effects of the crisis; such as a windfall tax on energy profits, protections for pension schemes (particularly investment based ones like the LGPS), and the ending of the Government's unjust public sector pay policy.

We also highlight the ways to help us out, including significant cut to interest rates, and public spending to help drive the economy (while helping support those in need as a result of the crisis).
But further than this, the NEC points to the end of neo-liberalism and the supremacy of the markets, and how we must move forward in this new era with public investment and public ownership.

As well as going to the outside world, I hope this statement provokes further discussion throughout the union on the way forward.

We will also be making sure we are fighting for our members, and have set up a project to gather intelligence on job losses. We will also need to ensure we're supporting our members in increasing financial hardship, and UNISON Welfare, our unique charity for members, will have a vital role in supporting our members, particularly with debt problems.

Our members, like all workers, are suffering. Lets make it clear that we are the ones on their side.