Civil rights under attack!
The TUC (Trades Union Congress) called a special once in a generation gathering of trade unions, a special congress, to discuss and prepare its campaign to resist the government’s attack on workers rights in the Strikes Bill.
The bill, full name Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which became law in July 2023 aims to limit the rights of thousands of public sector workers to strike in key areas including health, education and transport.
"Fight on our hands" Paul Nowak
Writing after the event TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“We now have a new fight on our hands. The Tories' Minimum Service Levels legislation will mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.
This year, I have stood on dozens of picket lines with thousands of workers. With physios, paramedics, rail workers, university lecturers, civil servants, teachers and more.
Today, special Congress resolved that we will continue to fight for their right to strike. And for the right of every worker to strike. We will defy this government and we will get this unjust law repealed. Our movement made clear today that if they come for one worker, they will face us all."
Workers are winning
He continued, “In the last two years we have seen union members take action in workplaces up and down the country, many for the first time. And crucially, workers are winning, through their unions.”
“Our campaign will continue in our workplaces and communities - and today we announced our next national action. So on 27 January, the whole movement will march with the sacked GCHQ workers through Cheltenham, to commemorate their victory and to recommit ourselves to defiant opposition to minimum service levels, trade union restrictions and any threat to the right to strike.
Join the march and rally in Cheltenham to make our voices heard.”
Thanet Green Party councillor Tricia Austin
Thanet Green Party councillor Tricia Austin responded to Nowak’s call to arms on social media.
“Thanks for this, Paul.
I'm afraid I'm unable to join the march but strongly support its aims. Having worked extensively with the TUC and affiliate unions in the past, I know how much difference union membership makes.
As a Green Party Councillor, I've been proud to stand on picket lines with RMT, ASLEF and CWU colleagues in our area. And I was very proud of our former Party Leader Baroness Natalie Bennett for raising her Fatal Motion in the Lords last week to try to derail this wicked piece of legislation.
But where were Labour colleagues on the picket lines - and where were the Labour Lords supporting Natalie? In both cases, their leadership had told them not to back workers struggling for their rights.
How can the TUC and Unions continue to support a neoliberal Labour Party? It no longer believes in Clause 4 - and as far as I can see it no longer sees itself as the workers' party either. So what exactly is the point of it?
I'm a socialist, so I joined the Green Party - it's the only logical choice these days.
Good luck with your continuing good work,
Tricia”
Join today
Paul Nowak’s final message is that’ “We must continue the fight for fairness and a voice in every workplace. But we can't win without getting more people into unions.
If you're not a union member, you can join today.
If friends or family haven't joined yet, today's the day to ask them.
Join the march and rally in Cheltenham to make our voices heard.
Protect the Right to Strike: National march and rally in Cheltenham
Saturday, January 27, 2024 • 12:00pm
Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham