And about time too. It is not the role of government to subsidise trades union activities. The TUC should pick up the tab. Maybe they could cut back on the fat cat salaries gfeneral secretaries draw to generate the funds.

Guido, the taxpayers are workers, your statement seems to presuppose something different.

You must also remember that class solidarity is worldwide, not national, it is perfectly logical for the governemnt to fund these people.

Let us also not forget trade unionism is an excellent democratising force.

Steve in Somerset and Guido, maybe you missed this sentence:

"the organisation which is based on tripartitite cooperation between governments, employers and unions to nudge forward international conventions to outlaw child labour and protect seafarers' rights."

or this one:

"Roosevelt took the US into the ILO in the 1930s as part of seeking to lessen US isolationism faced with the twin totalitarianisms of fascism and communism. Fast forward to the 1970s and 1980s and the ILO was the world forum where the suppression of Polish Solidarity was highlighted and the rights of black workers in South Africa upheld. Workers striving for freedom in Brazil under Lula's trade union leaders, in China or in South Korea were all able to find a voice and a hearing at the ILO."

So which aspect of the ILO's work do you want to stop funding?

Sigh - poor old Denis really knows how to pick the big issues doesn't he.

With everything that is going on this is what he wants to moan about.

Come on Denis - come and join us in the new century.

"Why does this government hate workers so much?"

The government will tell you it's because workers are dirty and smelly, and they talk common.

"Why does this government hate workers so much?"
Its not the workers that are hated but the fat cat union bosses who encourage militant strike action and violent demonstrations in order to justify their massive salaries.
Workers are in fact loved, as they are the productive few and are the tax payers that labour drain of money for the non workers in local government.

The Unions are their to protect the workers, especially when the Tories are in power.

Excellent article.

People here are missing the point. This is not about Bob Crow.

International trade union movements are and always have been positive forces for the promotion of democracy.

It is to the shame of the British left that they are so much ignored, and we leave it to other Europeans to liase with working people in other countries about how to protect their rights and so on.

Mitchell et al seem happy to continue to dispense aid but less happy to see genuine liason between working people from different countries, even though sharing with them is a powerful tool in bringing about genuine development.

Nothing is free of base politiking when it comes to this coalition.

stevem, well said. What effect unemasculated trade unionism during the bankers carry-ons would have only been healthy, to spot the South Sea Bubble that occured.

NS, a week ago, for just St Davids' Day for yesterday, someone posted the whole film, The Proud Valley, from 1939, just before the war, some could say to encourage them to keep digging the coal throughout the war, but I couldn't possibly say.

But don't delete this NS, the great Paul Robeson in the Proud Valley, bit too you know what, but excellent period clips - obviously dosed in coal digging propagande,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aZZdnABjKg

Workers of the world unite!

There are some redeeming features. These two individuals will shortly be building a cathedral to money. After all, where would we be without stone masons and their ilk.
And doesn't Andy D own the most expensive former council house in Britain. Admitedly, he got it for a song. Even planned John Major's leadership campaign there. What it's worth now - who only knows? Well, as for Mitch. He's a banker. 'Nuff said!

Fair's Fair

Awww. I can think of one Labour organisation that Denis is no longer a member of.