13.09.11
Miliband heckled for opposing public sector strikes
Labour leader Ed Miliband warned unions against striking at the TUC conference yesterday, and was heckled for his stance on the public sector pension strikes that took place this summer.
Miliband labelled it a ‘mistake’ to strike whilst talks were ongoing, and advised the union movement that it must change, and consider strikes only as a last resort.
In a keynote speech, Ed Miliband said: “I fully understand why millions of decent public sector workers feel angry. But while negotiations were going on, I do believe it was a mistake for strikes to happen. I continue to believe that.
“But what we need now is meaningful negotiation to prevent further confrontation over the autumn. Strikes are always the consequence of failure. Failure on all sides. Failure we cannot afford as a nation. Instead your real role is as partners in the new economy.
“You know you'll never have relevance if you allow yourself to be painted as opponents of change. In this new economy you must be the agents of change. The best thing that can be done to avoid industrial action happening is by having a government willing to negotiate.”
A question and answer session followed the speech, with several hostile questions from the unionists. Trade unions currently supply 80% of Labour’s funding.
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