STUC general secretary Roz Foyer threw down the gauntlet to the political class at Holyrood and Westminster today, urging them to tax the rich and deliver for working people.  

In a wide-ranging speech to the RMT AGM, Ms Foyer praised the union for showing leadership in the industrial arena, particularly during the national rail dispute.

She said: “On behalf of Scotland’s workers, I want to thank you all.

“For your leadership during the cost-of-living crisis. For reminding the working class of our power.”

She acknowledged that unions do now have a voice at both Holyrood and Westminster.

“But let me be clear: a seat at the table is not enough,” Ms Foyer added.

“Listening to unions must mean acting on what we say — even when it’s uncomfortable for the decision-makers to hear.

“Let’s be honest: our mainstream political class are drinking in the last-chance saloon.

“For all their talk of change, they haven’t stood up to billionaires or really delivered for working people and the voters have had enough and are looking for solutions elsewhere.

“Let the tough decisions fall on the rich, not on workers, poorly paid pensioners or the disabled.”