The RMT union continues to challenge the TUC’s favourable and unrealistic view of the EU. The TUC believes that the single market is good for British workers and that the UK can remain in it after Brexit. Neither is true.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady told Congress in Brighton on 11 September, that staying in the EU single market, which enables tariff-free trade, is the best long-term option for UK workers. She said “When it comes to Brexit, don’t box yourselves in. Don’t rule anything out. Keep all options on the table. And put jobs, rights and livelihoods first. We have set out our tests for the Brexit deal working people need. Staying in the single market and customs union would deliver it.”
'Membership of the single market means de facto membership of the EU and its control mechanisms.'
RMT General Secretary Mick Cash pointed out (yet again) that membership of the single market means de facto membership of the EU and its control mechanisms. He said “The trade union movement needs to be extremely careful if it is not to be accused of seeking to undermine the democratic decision of the British people on leaving the EU. It was the millions of votes of working people across the country that swung the vote to leave and that must not be ignored.
Diversion
“The constant flagging up of continued membership of the Single Market sends out all the wrong signals and is a diversion from the opportunities that leaving the EU presents for a strong and ambitious trade union movement in the fields of jobs, workers rights and public services.
“As a movement we need to make it clear that there is no back door open to continued EU membership and we need to be promoting a strong, alternative vision for the future that unites our communities.”