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2
June 2008
It must be a legitimate
stance for Irish workers and those who are concerned about
rights, equality and democracy to vote against the Lisbon
Treaty, to draw attention to the implications of the ECJ cases
for “Social Europe”, even if they wish to support
the Lisbon Treaty itself. This would appear to be consistent
with the responses to the GMB motion at TUC last year calling
for a referendum in the UK.
The joint general secretaries
of Unite supported the motion. Derek Simpson, joint general
secretary of Unite, said: "UK workers need a progressive
Europe, a Europe that offers them protections and social justice,
not a selective Europe that just advances the interests of
big business."
Tony Woodley said Unite
is not anti-Europe and would die sooner than associate with
UKIP or the Tories: "But we don't want to be part of
a Europe that discards the social model that can bring so
many benefits to working men and women across Europe.
"If the government
wants to have a social opt-out, we should demand a democratic
opt-in. If anyone thinks the British people want a free market
Europe with no protection for workers, then I say put it to
the vote and find out."
And in relation to the
referendum in Ireland to ratify the Lisbon Treaty the Technical
Engineering and Electrical Union on 5 May urged its 45,000
members to vote against the treaty. The General secretary
of the TEEU Eamon Devoy took the stance on the back of recent
judgments by the ECJ which he said had shown that the pendulum
had “swung against workers' rights and in favour of big
business.”
The EU Observer said:
“The Irish government's official campaign in favour of
the EU's Lisbon Treaty has been dealt a blow following the
decision by a major union to speak out against the document.”
But then the Irish Congress
of Trade Unions on May 21 voted in favour of supporting the
Lisbon Treaty, in the referendum to be held on June 12. The
vote to support acceptance of the treaty was by a majority
of 14 to 5. There were 8 abstentions. Speaking after the vote,
General Secretary David Begg expressed satisfaction that Congress
had adopted a clear position on "an issue of major public
importance."
He said that Congress
would now be recommending a yes vote in the June 12 referendum.
But he also pointed out this did not preclude individual,
affiliated unions from advising their members on a different
course of action.
Some have called this
a squandered opportunity. Of course others in the movement
say the only solution is to pull out of the EU.
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