NSSN to lobby TUC General Council on December 11th

The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) is organising a lobby of the TUC General Council when it meets on December 11th. It will assemble from 9.30am at Congress House in Great Russell Street.

NSSN national chair Rob Williams said, “Up to a thousand union activists came to our lobby of the TUC conference in Brighton in September to encourage delegates to vote for the POA motion which called on the TUC to consider the practicalities of organising a general strike against the brutal austerity offensive from this government of the rich. The motion was overwhelmingly passed and the idea of a 24 hour general strike dominated the magnificent demonstrations in London, Glasgow and Belfast on October 20th which saw over 150,000 march against the cuts. On that platform, Bob Crow RMT, Mark Serwotka PCS and Len McCluskey Unite called for this co-ordinated action across the public and private sectors. The incredible November 14th European-wide day of action against austerity saw general strikes in Greece, Spain and Portugal and strikes, protests and demonstrations throughout the continent. I spoke at the London protest and called on the TUC and the union leaders to name the day for a 24 hour general strike when they next meet together on December 11th.

The NSSN understands that this would need proper preparation and organisation with workplace and town hall meetings throughout the country explaining why this action is necessary in order to build maximum support for it as the start of the action needed to defeat the attacks that are raining down on us. Therefore, a date in the New Year or the first couple of months in 2012 would allow this but the main thing is to name the date now. We call on all our supporters and fellow trade unionists to come on the lobby and make your voice heard.”