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19
October 2007
Hundreds of trade unionists
were present at Parliament on Thursday 18th October to highlight
the need for a Trade Union Freedom Bill. The event’s
theme “Freedom to Fight Poverty” and “Freedom
to Fight Inequality” captured the mood of union representatives.
Members from GMB, PCS, RMT, ASLEF, CWU, Musicians Union, Unite,
Unison, NUM and people from as far away as Denmark and Germany
came to show their support for the Bill.
The demonstration outside
parliament highlighted the growing base of support for the
campaign. The photograph stunt for the day consisted of six
workers from various trades and professions including a builder,
a train driver and a post woman, 'shackled together with the
anti-trade union laws'.
Inside the speakers
were well received by an enthusiastic and informed audience.
With police estimating 1000 people attended the rally in parliament
it was no surprise that the first committee room was soon
full and the overspill room attracted nearly as many.
John McDonnell MP spoke
on the future of the Bill and the process it would now go
through. "This bill offers the ideal opportunity to re-establish
basic civil liberties for trade unionists in this country,
and I urge the government not to miss this chance." Phil
McGarry of the STUC echoed this. "If we have a government
that is listening and learning it should acknowledge the growing
support for a bill that will right some of the massive wrongs
that have undermined collective bargaining."
Tony Woodley of Unite
T&G emphasised the need for solidarity in the movement.
"The Trade Union Rights and Freedom Bill is the least
we need to give workers in Britain the rights taken for granted
in the rest of Europe. It is time the movement stood up and
fought for it."
Carolyn Jones, Director
of the Institute of Employment Rights said the "wonderful"
turnout "shows the number of people and the range of
unions who are calling for the rights and freedoms to operate
properly in the workplace so that they can restrain the power
of employers, stop the growth in inequality and fight poverty."
Event Details
Thursday 18 October 2007
4.00-5.30pm - Demonstration outside House of Commons
5.30-7.30pm - Rally in Committee Room 14, House of Commons
Speakers
John Hendy QC - United Campaign National Secretary
John McDonnell MP
Sarah Veale - TUC Head, Equality and Employment Rights
Phil McGarry - STUC President
Bob Crow - RMT General Secretary
Tony Woodley - Unite T&G General Secretary
Mark Serwotka - PCS General Secretary
Matt Wrack - FBU General Secretary
Brian Caton - POA General Secretary
Keith Ewing - IER President
Anita Halpin - SERTUC Vice President
Katy Clark MP
Christine Blower - NUT Assistant General Secretary
Gail Cartmail - Unite Amicus Assistant General Secretary
Patrick Roach - NASUWT Deputy General Secretary
Manuel Cortes - TSSA Assistant General Secretary
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