Picture taken from the Justice for Refuse Workers and Cleansers Facebook pageUnite reports “heavy handed policing” of the strike by refuse workers in Bexley, South East London, over the living wage, pay progression and back pay. Unite’s Ruth Hydon says: “We want to be very clear to the police that their heavy-handed approach to aContinue reading “Support the Bexley refuse workers – rally at Bexley Civic Offices, 21 July, 6pm!”
Author Archives: freeourunions
Labour Women’s Conference says: repeal all anti-union laws!
The Labour Party Women’s Conference, held online in late June, passed a motion demanding: “Repeal all anti- trade union laws and create new rights and freedoms for trade unions to help them win a better deal for working people.” This was part of a composite motion on “women and the economy”, which can be viewedContinue reading “Labour Women’s Conference says: repeal all anti-union laws!”
Empower the Unions launch videos now online
Free Our Unions is supporting Empower the Unions, a new initiative from Earth Strike UK, a group of anti-capitalist activists in the climate movement. The campaign aims to unite environmental activists and trade unionists to resist laws that prevent unions from fighting for the climate. Check out the Facebook page here. Videos from the onlineContinue reading “Empower the Unions launch videos now online”
Unite against anti-union laws
Free Our Unions is supporting this statement, launched by activists in the Unite union. If you’re a member of Unite, please sign as an individual and propose support for the statement in your branch.
Online meeting – 7pm, Tuesday 20 July (REARRANGED) – 1871 and the fight for free trade unions
Join the Free Our Unions campaign and the Fire Brigades Union for a meeting and discussion marking the 150th anniversary of the 1871 Trade Union Act, to draw lessons from the 19th century struggle for our fight against anti-union laws and for free trade unions for today. This meeting has been rearranged from 29 June.Continue reading “Online meeting – 7pm, Tuesday 20 July (REARRANGED) – 1871 and the fight for free trade unions”
Earth Strike UK: Empower the Unions – online rally, 2pm, Sunday 27 June
Free and active unions have a vital part to play in the just transition to a zero-carbon future. The anti-union and anti-strike legislation designed to suppress union activity is a direct obstacle to a greener world. Earth Strike UK: Empower the Unions is a new initiative by Earth Strike UK, supported by Free Our Unions. Empower theContinue reading “Earth Strike UK: Empower the Unions – online rally, 2pm, Sunday 27 June”
Video: Disabled people for free trade unions
The speeches from our May public meeting are now online. The meeting was co-organised with RMT Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee and Neurodivergent Labour, and featured contributions from: Mario Kyriacou, Tower Hamlets UnisonElane Heffernan, Disabled Members’ Rep, UCU NECJanine Booth, Secretary, RMT Disabled Members’ Advisory CommitteeDavid King, Chair, RMT Disabled Members’ Advisory Committee
GMB Congress takes strong stand against anti-union laws
The 2021 congress of the GMB, Britain’s third largest trade union, took place on 6-8 June. The congress passed the following resolution on the issue of anti-union legislation. Congress notes: • The Tories’ 2019 election manifesto included further attacks on the right to strike,i.e. the requirement for ‘Minimum Service Agreements’ in any railway strike, inContinue reading “GMB Congress takes strong stand against anti-union laws”
Online meeting, Tuesday 20 July, 7pm: 1871 and the fight for free trade unions
Join the Free Our Unions campaign and the Fire Brigades Union for a meeting and discussion marking the 150th anniversary of the 1871 Trade Union Act, to draw lessons from the 19th century struggle for our fight against anti-union laws and for free trade unions for today. Speaker: Simon Hannah, Lambeth Unison branch secretary, author,Continue reading “Online meeting, Tuesday 20 July, 7pm: 1871 and the fight for free trade unions”
Fight is on to kill the Bill
This article is reposted from the Labour Research Department Publications website, here. Unions say the draconian Police Bill threatens trade union activity — by restricting the right to protest and placing further restraints on picketing. Opposition to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSCB) has been growing as the Bill has been making its wayContinue reading “Fight is on to kill the Bill”