A film by the Institute of Employment Rights, in which Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC talk about the Trade Union Reform Bill. In it, John Hendy QC says:
- This Bill is “an attack on the rights of unions having an industrial voice”. It also aims to exclude “unions from having a political voice” as well as “an effective voice in civil society.”
- “Modern economists have pointed out that high levels of collective bargaining and high levels of workplace rights actually are conducive to a good economy […] this bill is shooting the economy in the foot.”
- The bill can be considered “illegal in the sense that these proposals are in breach of international treaties which Britain has ratified and therefore in breach of international law.”
Professor Keith Ewing says:
- That this bill is “the most serious attack on trade union freedom in a generation.”
- In particularly it is “a massive attack on public sector trade unionism” in 3 ways: “one attacking financial security, two attacking workplace representation and thirdly attacking the right to strike.”
- This Bill represents “a serious attack on the human rights and civil liberties of trade unions. And a serious attack on the right to freedom of political expression.” It is “an extraordinary step backwards into the middle ages in terms of constitutional principle”.
The Institute of Employment Rights has also published pamphlets to go with this video:
- a short but comprehensive overview of the Trade Union Bill and its implications – Protect the right to strike: kill the bill
- a report that explores the justification and underlying motivation for the introduction of new tougher strike ballot laws before questioning whether the technical measure proposed would increase balloting turn-outs – The Conservative Government’s proposed strike ballot thresholds: The challenge to trade unions
Again this is not an issue that I much care about, to be in these days UNION largely means only the public service unions, (with their fat cat management and organizers,) and little else and the bill isn’t as nearly draconian as it’s being presented as being anyway; there are far more important issue that people need to be concerned about than a bunch of middle aged, middle class, sell outs who had 10 yeas under Blair to reverse or oppose the Thatcher, “reforms,” but couldn’t be bothered.
Really not an issue for me.
Brilliant piece on the Tories sinister TU Bill.
Neo-Liberalism’s pursuit of cheap labour is already painting itself into a corner.
We have to fight this and get ready for the Tories Goebels propaganda – repeat a big enough lie often enough!
The rich and powerful legally nick the surplus labour of the working billions and we need democratic socialists in every country to be campaigning for free trade unions, a living wage, more democratic public ownership (by country), a shorter working week & earlier retirement (to free time poor working humanity) and better health & safety at work etc.
We should harness our collective strength as the Right Wing Tories propose this from the weak position of being elected by only 25% of the total electorate. One rule for one!
Perhaps we need to also get a leaflet to every home selling the benefits and empowerment of trade unions (giving you a voice in the workplace) plus at the same time we could include individual voter registration forms.
The Tories got 11m, Labour 9m and 15.9m did not vote – we just need to retain our 9m and win 6m of those who are disaffected.
Yours as a committed trade unionist and democratic socialist in international solidarity!