More than 200 trade unionists have put their names to an open letter addressed to Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, stating their opposition to the Labour government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence bill.

 

They describe the bill as “shameful anti-worker and anti-working class legislation” which will “create misery” for communities, disabled workers, and all workers on the sharp edge of the disability benefits system such as caseworkers, local government, housing and charity workers, and others.

 

Signatories include councillors, trade union executive committee members, and elected representatives of workers from PCS, Unite, Unison, NEU, GMB and others, demonstrating the widespread strength of feeling in the labour movement against the bill. Many of these unions currently fund the Labour Party.

 

The signatories call on the entire trade union movement to “not only fight to defend the social security system from cuts, but also demand a transformative alternative that centres human dignity, regardless of ability to work.” They “join Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and many others in arguing for a welfare system that works for us all, removing the private sector involvement and its punitive measures.”

 

Calling it a “political choice,” the letter directly disputes government claims that the measures are being introduced to benefit workers, calling for taxation of the super rich rather than punishment of the poorest through benefit cuts.

 

The signatories note with alarm that “every stage the due democratic process and co-production with disabled people… has been sidestepped. This concerns us all as trade unionists striving for a more equitable and democratic society.”

 

A copy of the letter is available at Bit.Ly/TUistsAgainstWelfareCuts. Signatures are being collected until the end of the week.