'We must win for all workers'

Unite delegate and defence worker Tony Reilly, a first time speaker, asked conference to a oppose a motion noting the work of the Wages Not Weapons campaign, prioritising investment in public services.

Explaining that he was an engineer in the civil aerospace sector, specialising in the manufacture of commercial aircraft engines, here’s what he said:

“I’m speaking not only on behalf of defence workers, but on behalf of all workers. ‘Unity Works’, Congress. That is the theme of this year’s conference, and it is the principle at the heart of this debate.

“We can’t accept TUC policy that pits one set of workers against another.

One group of workers do not need to fail in order for another to succeed.”

Tony said the Unite understood and were supportive of the spirit of this motion adding, “It is not weapons that I stand here to defend, but jobs, terms and conditions. All of them hard earned.

“This motion treats the national economy as a household budget – spending too much on aircraft and not enough on education. That is not how it works.

“Public investment in manufacturing, including in our defence manufacturing, generates some of the best returns in private investment and supports the rebuilding of critical industrial supply chains.”

He explained further. “Let’s take Rolls-Royce, where Unite has almost 15,000 members. These are workers with decent pay and conditions and robust collective bargaining.

“Rolls-Royce is a defence company. It’s also a civil aerospace company.

It’s also on the front line of the green transition rolling out the production of small “modular” nuclear reactors.”

Addressing the hall Tony continued, “We reject the false choice that in order to have secure jobs in defence the government must cut public services.

“Did closing coal mines help hospitals? No. It comes down to political choices.

“Already this week we have debated and supported the right policies to break with the failed economics of the past.

“We supported Unite’s motion on the economy calling for a reversal of public sector austerity by paying for more day-to-day spending with a wealth tax. 

“We are calling for reindustrialisation. This is only a question of political will. Congress, we can move the government. But we can only do it we are united.

He concluded, “Reject division. We must win for all workers. Don’t pit worker against worker, trade union member against trade union member.

“It is in that spirit of unity and solidarity that I ask you to oppose this motion.”

The motion was carried.

By Amanda Campbell

Photo by Mark Thomas