The pro-EU zeal of most of the union movement has - until now -
been a much-needed card up Mr Blair's sleeve, as he struggles to
persuade the public to support the new constitution in a
referendum.
But the prime minister has alienated useful union leaders by
insisting during last week's final negotiations that the
constitution's Charter of Fundamental Rights could not be used to
rewrite national laws.
Tony Woodley of the Transport and General Workers' Union and
Kevin Curran of the GMB, came out in support of Derek Simpson of
Amicus, who earlier in the week said the prime minister could not
count on its backing in a referendum because he had not done enough
for workers' rights in the constitution talks.
Mr Woodley said: "The prime minister has pledged to fight against
workers securing any new rights through the EU's Charter of
Fundamental Rights. Let me be clear - this approach is making it all
but impossible for trade unionists to support a Yes vote in a
refer-endum."
Mr Curran said: "GMB members have made it clear to me this week
that unless Britain fully introduces the new rights at work
enshrined in the charter they will expect their union to be
campaigning for a No vote." General secretaries at three out of the
four dominant unions have now signalled their refusal to campaign.
Only Dave Prentis of Unison, a union ambivalent about closer
European integration, is yet to express a view.
* Mr Prentis will attack the government today for failing to
honour a promise to end the two-tier workforce in the NHS and other
public services. Workers employed by private companies were
receiving fewer holidays, poorer conditions and had no pensions, he
said. Mr Prentis will tell Unison's annual conference in
Bournemouth: "As ministers' thoughts turn to the holiday season,
they should spare a thought for those thousands of workers in the
public services who have had their holidays taken away from
them."
