The Trade Union Coordinating Group’s recent pamphlet Workers’ Rights: What Should a Labour Government Deliver? collates policy proposals from the TUCG’s affiliated unions.
The pamphlet can be read online here. Below, we republish the Fire Brigades Union’s contribution to the pamphlet, which focuses on the need to repeal anti-strike laws.
The FBU welcomes the commitments from the Labour Party to repeal the 2023 Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act and the 2016 Trade Union Act. The UK has some of the most restrictive strike laws in Europe and the FBU is pleased that Labour have reaffirmed its intentions to repeal some of the most draconian anti-union measures. The FBU also welcome the New Deal for Working People and its commitments to protect and enhance employment and workers’ rights. But these commitments don’t go far enough.
Although these commitments mark an important start, the Labour Party needs to go further. A Labour government must repeal all anti-union laws and replace them with a strong programme of workers’ rights, including a legally protected right to take strike action and picket. A Labour government that unshackles the unions could revolutionise the world of work and strengthen the capacity of workers to protect their rights and fight for better conditions.
FREE TRADE UNIONS
A true commitment to the enhancement of workers’ rights would include ensuring employment rights from day one and lifting all anti-union laws, going back to the first of such legislation introduced under Thatcher.
The stringent requirements on unions before taking action undermines the ability of workers to bargain collectively and bring about change. Repealing these laws is crucial in empowering workers to be able to organise and fight effectively.
At present, the barriers and thresholds unions have to meet before industrial action can be taken mean we are fighting with our hands tied behind our backs. The prolonged attack on trade unions’ ability to take action has been central to attempts to weaken the labour movement, allowing for decades of driving down wages, insecure work and worsening conditions.
Workers need free trade unions, free of the draconian restrictions placed on them. We need the right to strike enshrined in law for workers to be able to stand up for their rights effectively and fight for better pay and conditions.
Trade unions also need the right to take wider political action to challenge injustices, from taking solidarity action with other workers to the fire safety crisis exemplified by the Grenfell Tower fire and the rapidly developing threat of climate change.
DEFENDING OUR GAINS
The Tory government are proceeding with an agenda to undo many of the rights previously enshrined under European Union law. The FBU is clear that these gains need to be defended. A commitment from the Labour Party to guaranteeing and improving the workers’ rights set out in European law, such as the working time directive, TUPE, holiday pay and annual leave requirements, would be a welcome indicator of a policy programme that prioritises workers.
With the prospect of a Labour government, now is the time to push for policies that would allow the trade union movement to advocate more effectively for our members and other workers. Giving power to workers, so we can vastly improve pay and conditions across many sectors, must be part of the radical agenda implemented by the next Labour government.
Free Our Unions 