RMT to call national demo against anti-strike laws by October

The Annual General Meeting of the RMT has unanimously passed a motion from the union’s Bakerloo line branch, reaffirming the union’s strong opposition to all anti-strike laws, and committing to call a national demonstration by 28 October.

The motion also resolves to continue working with a number of campaigning organisations active on the issue, including Free Our Unions. We look forward to continuing to work with RMT to build opposition and defiance to restrictions on our rights to strike and organise.

We republish the text of the motion below.

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FOR A NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION AGAINST ANTI-STRIKE LAWS

This AGM notes:

1. The ongoing strike wave, and the Tories’ plans to impose new anti-union laws in response.
2. Existing RMT AGM policy to call a national demonstration against anti-union laws.

This AGM believes:

1. To stand any chance of blocking the implementation of the new laws, an assertive campaign against them, and to demand a full right to strike, will be necessary. Even if the laws are passed, the labour movement will be in a far better position to confront and defy them if we have spent the period prior to implementation engaged in active campaigning to resist the laws.
2. Protests called by RMT, at Downing Street and in local constituencies, were a good start, and must be followed up with further action, including a national demonstration.
3. Such a demonstration should ideally be called by the TUC, or as wide-as-possible a coalition of unions, but if this cannot be achieved, must be called by those unions prepared to act.

This AGM resolves:

1. That RMT will organise a Saturday national demonstration against anti-strike laws, taking place no later than Saturday 28 October, with the following demands in line with Union Policy:

– No to new anti-strike laws
– Repeal all existing anti-strike and anti-union legislation
– For a full right to organise and strike
– Solidarity with all striking workers

2. To approach other trade unions and the TUC to invite co-sponsorship and participation in organising the demonstration.
3. To invite co-sponsorship and participation in organising the demonstration from relevant campaign groups backed by the union, including the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom, Free Our Unions, and the National Shop Steward Network.
4. To give the maximum degree of assistance and support to Regional Councils and branches in mobilising members and organising transport to the demonstration from their areas.