We’ve already publicised motions from the RMT and FBU to the upcoming TUC Congress on the topic of anti-strike laws. Here, we republish other motions on the same issue from other unions.
Motion 01 Trade union and employment rights (Unite)
Congress condemns the renewed attack on trade union rights including proposals to undermine industrial action in the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill and calls for the repeal of all anti-union laws.
Congress also condemns the fact that trade union rights could also be undermined by other legislation such as the Public Order Bill and the Retained EU Law Bill.
Congress believes that attacks on trade union rights and on employment rights more widely further demonstrates the case for the devolution of employment law.
Congress notes that the House of Lords voted to exclude Scotland from the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) legislation, but this was overturned by the Tory majority in the House of Commons.
Congress also notes the letter to the UK parliamentary under secretary of state from the Scottish Government cabinet secretary for well-being economy, fair work and energy reiterating opposition to the Bill and calling for its abandonment.
Congress further notes that devolution of employment law is the policy of the Labour Party in Scotland and supported by the current Scottish Parliament.
Congress calls upon the General Council to oppose any new anti-trade union legislation and campaign for the:
i. repeal of all current anti-trade union legislation
ii. devolution of employment law to Scotland
iii. Labour government (if elected in the next two years) to repeal all anti-trade union laws within 12 months of gaining office
iv. introduction of a bill of rights providing positive employment and trade union rights – including strong rights to collectively bargain and to take strike action.
Amendment from Equity:
At the end of paragraph 2, insert the additional sentence: “Workers in many transnational and globalised industries are also denied meaningful rights to organise disputes or demonstrate solidarity internationally.”
Motion 02 Workers’ rights/trade union rights (NASUWT)
Congress is concerned that increasing use of insecure, intermittent and precarious employment relationships has resulted in widespread job insecurity and denies workers access to basic employment rights, many of which are at serious risk of being further eroded.
Conference asserts that anti-trade union restrictions represent a direct attack on workers’ rights to fair pay, decent jobs and good terms and conditions and must continue to be resisted.
Congress decries the fact that trade unions are subjected to draconian legislation that severely impacts on workers’ ability to organise and defend their rights at work.
Congress calls on the General Council to:
i. build coalitions to campaign against further restrictive trade union legislation
ii. build an appropriate industrial response to defend workers’ right to strike
iii. resist any further restrictive trade union legislation and demand:
– the repeal of all anti-union laws
– stronger rights for unions to access workplaces, win recognition, and establish collective bargaining rights
– the right for trade union members to vote online during industrial action ballots.
Amendment from Unison:
Insert new paragraph 4: “Congress congratulates the unions and the TUC who took the UK government to court and defeated new laws that allowed employers to use agency workers to break strikes. Congress agrees with the High Court that the government acted unfairly, unlawfully, and irrationally. Unions will always act to safeguard workers’ rights.”
Amendment from British Dietetics Association:
In final paragraph point iii., delete the first sub-point and replace with “the repeal of the Trade Union Act 2016 and all other anti-trade union legislation”. In final paragraph sub-point, replace full stop with comma and add at end: “and statutory elections for executive committees and general secretaries”.
Motion 05 Stop employer intimidation and defend the right to strike (UCU)
Congress notes the right, articulated under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, to join a union and participate in industrial action.
Congress condemns the actions of university employers making punitive deductions to UCU members’ salaries (up to 100 per cent of salary) for participating in lawful action short of strike action (including a marking and assessment boycott) in furtherance of their campaign to improve pay and conditions. Congress also condemns other employers using similarly draconian measures elsewhere to attempt to intimidate workers into not taking industrial action.
Congress believes this is part of a co-ordinated attack by employers, supported by the Conservative government, on the right of working people to advance their interests through industrial means.
Congress believes these attacks are designed to intimidate workers, especially those who are low-paid, casualised, women, disabled, alongside Black and migrant workers.
Congress applauds the bravery of UCU members in continuing their action short of strike action despite vindictive pay deductions.
Congress condemns all attacks on trade unionists right to participate in industrial action.
Congress calls on the TUC to lead:
i. an industrial campaign to defend the right to engage in all forms of industrial action
ii. a political campaign to lobby opposition parties to enshrine the right to strike in
statute and to repeal all anti trade union laws
iii. a public campaign to defend the right to participate in industrial action.
Read the full motions booklet below:
Free Our Unions 