We need remuneration not repatriation

This Thursday we will see the result of the European Elections. As a trade unionist I know, as a rule, that working people are stronger together, indeed our whole movement is based on collective action.  It's a lesson already learnt in our workplaces, across industry, throughout society and yes, across Europe too. We are stronger together.

The European Union is not perfect, but it is the only vehicle for meaningful collective action to be expressed across the continent. It matters.  The TUC has always engaged in the European debate, as have TUC affiliates.  The European Union is one of the world’s major trading and political entities, and as such plays a major role in the lives of working people.

EU legislation is central to UK labour laws, equality and health and safety.  Leaving the EU would be just another attempt to undermine people’s rights to paid holiday leave, health and safety at work, fairness and equality.

It would take away basic employment rights – so, things we take for granted like:

• a guarantee of at least 1 day off a week
• 20 minutes break if you work more than 6 hours
• Proper lunch breaks
• 11 hours rest from work each day
• not working more than 48 hours per week if you don’t want to
• 4 weeks paid holiday a year

All of these things we now consider as rights are under threat if this government, or other political parties, attempt to repatriate powers from the EU.

So rather than repatriating employment and social policies by leaving the EU, we need to address the weaknesses of our economy by tackling rising job insecurity and poor quality employment – by halting the rise of zero hours contracts and ensuring free movement of workers and services and comes with protection for those workers and respect of fair pay and good terms and conditions.

Austerity policies are failing ordinary people in the UK and across Europe, and we in the north east are unfortunately a recurrent victim –borne out once again in this week’s ONS employment figures.  Those who did least to cause the economic crash are being made to face the worst consequences.

There is an undeniable macroeconomic case for increasing pay across the board. As part of our fair pay and a living wage campaign the TUC will support and champion public and private sector employers who reach living wage agreements. Workers spending in their local communities is key to economic growth, but they need to have the money to spend.

For all of these reasons, it’s essential that working people are represented in Europe.

Our region has big challenges ahead of it, not least how to maximise investment, boost skills, improve the quality of jobs and secure fairer pay. One thing is for sure, it will be easier to achieve all those objectives inside the European Union rather than out of it. Working together, rather than working alone.

Beth Farhat – Northern TUC Regional Secretary