Greens woo trade union votes, a move leftward?


interesting news, any comments?


from the bbc

The Greens would repeal Thatcher's "anti-union" laws

A trade union leader will speak at the Green Party's conference for the first time as the party says it is laying claim to space on the left-wing of political debate.
The speech in Scarborough from Billy Hayes, leader of the Communication Workers' Union, comes in a week trade unions appeared to be forging new links.



We already have the policies which many disillusioned ex-Labour supporters

Margaret Wright
Green Party
The TUC is to hold meetings with the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives amid talk of growing disenchantment with Labour.

Green Party principal speaker Margaret Wright said the Greens had more to offer the unions and their members than any other party.

Platform for change

"We offer social ownership of public utilities, we want to renationalise the railways.

"We want the Thatcherite anti-union laws repealed and a fresh deal on workers' rights."

Ms Wright said the Greens were also committed to restoring public services and a programme of "massive investment" in public transport and environmentally-friendly industries.

At the spring conference, the party is due to establish more details in its opposition to private finance initiatives (PFIs), used to fund the building of government projects like hospital building.

Using PFIs is "like going to a loan shark", according to the Greens, although the government argues the scheme has seen brought vital new resources to public services.


The Green Party says it is trying to reach union members and others "disillusioned by New Labour's metamorphosis into yet another neo-liberal party like the Tories and Lib Dems".

The conference comes after Tony Blair acknowledged some people within his party found New Labour controversial or unclear.

Mr Blair said: "At the root of it all is a simple belief in fairness... it isn't fair that people are held back in poverty or can't fulfil their potential," he said.

Talks between the TUC and opposition parties have sparked anger among some trade unionists.

But TUC general secretary John Monks has long said he is willing to talk to all sides on the political debate in an effort to bring new benefits to union members.