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14
June 2010
Trade union leaders have
warned the cuts will be even more brutal than those introduced
under Thatcher. Public sector unions say the impact for their
members and for wider services will be devastating. As workers
are forced to defend their jobs, pay and conditions in the
face of the coalition's austerity agenda, a wave of unrest
will likely follow which may increasingly take the form of
industrial action.
And how do we expect the
coalition government to respond to workers protecting their
jobs in the face of unprecedented attacks? By further eroding
their ability to take legal strike action of course. With
employers increasingly running to the courts to block industrial
action under legislation that was intended to protect the
rights of workers, the Government has made no signs that it
regards these laws as unjust.
The utter lack of references
to trade unions within the coalition's programme for government
should not be taken to mean that trade unions will be left
alone. Expect incremental attacks on trade union rights in
the near future. Cameron has repeatedly declared his intention
to strengthen the anti-union laws, to further weigh the law
in favour of employers. We must be ready to challenge the
government at every instance.
Clegg's
'Power Revolution'
Clegg recently promised
a 'power revolution' and called for the public to nominate
laws to be repealed. The United Campaign say first on his
list should be the raft of anti-union legislation that prevents
workers from exercising their fundamental rights in a democracy.
Coalition plans also include
establishing a Commission to investigate the creation of a
British Bill of Rights that incorporates and builds on all
our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights,
ensures that these rights continue to be enshrined in British
law, and protects and extends British liberties. The United
Campaign will argue strongly that the issue of collective
rights for unions and workers must be included.
Queens
Speech
The Queen announced Government
proposals for 22 Bills in May, including a 'Freedom Bill'.
Sadly the proposed Bill is a far cry from the 'Trade Union
Freedom Bill' put forward by the United Campaign in previous
years. Nevertheless, the United Campaign are mobilising supporters
to ensure at least some of the issues fought for in the Trade
Union Freedom Bill are represented. We will follow the progress
of the Bill and draft amendments to promote trade union freedom
and the repeal of anti-union laws.
Lobby
the New Government
In April we reported that
the UN's ILO Committee of Experts, after reviewing the BALPA
case, declared that the decisions in Viking and Laval will
have a further significant restrictive effect on the right
to strike and that this is contrary to international fundamental
freedoms.
The Committee called on
the Government to review the UK's anti-union laws and consider
appropriate measures for the protection of workers and their
organisations. The new government must be lobbied to meet
this obligation.
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