Community is second union to back David Miliband

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

A second union has come out in support of David Miliband to be next Labour leader. The Community Union, which represents workers in steel, metal, textiles, footwear, leather, betting shops and social care and has some 67,500 members. It was the only trade union to endorse Tony Blair for the leadership in 1994.

Michael Leahy, the general secretary of Community, said:

“Over the past 13 years Community Union worked with the Labour government when we could and against the Labour government when we had to. So I recognise that the leadership of the Labour party is not an empty title, but a position that can make a very real difference to the lives of our members. While I accept that all the candidates are worthy and capable, it is my belief that of all the candidates, David Miliband, has the gravitas, the dignity and the commitment to the issues that will make him a successful leader.

David Miliband has a taken a keen interest in the work of Community Union and has addressed our National Executive Council on a number of occasions over the years. As the ConDem government has begun a programme of attacking our members and their communities, I believe that it is crucial that the Labour party elects a dynamic and energetic leader to combat these regressive social policies.

Cancelling the loan to Sheffield Forgemasters proved that the ConDem government is more concerned with ideologically-motivated debt reduction than building for our future. A strong Labour opposition will be the bulwark against this tidal wave of catastrophic cuts and I believe that David Miliband is the keystone to rebuilding Labour to take on the coalition.”

Miliband wrote on his blog:

“I am honoured and delighted to have secured the support of Community Union and look forward to making my case to the union’s members whether they are rolling steel in South Wales, stitching together shoes in the midlands or working behind the counter of a high street betting shop.

Community Union is the model for new unionism, with their focus on supporting members at home and in their local communities as well as the workplace.

Community Union is showing how to change an organisation into a movement and this echoes what I believe the Labour party must do also.

Community Union has always been a leading voice in promoting rights and support for working families. Their commitment helped to establish the Pension guarantee for every worker in Britain.”

The endorsement follows the USDAW endorsement last week, and will give Miliband a boost. The bigger and most important unions, Unite and Unison, have both held hustings in the last 24 hours, and will announce their support in the coming weeks.