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26
September 2007
The 2007 TUC Congress
showed progressive steps in the call for the repeal of the
anti trade union laws. During Congress week which began on
10 September “Composite 4” on trade union rights
and freedoms began “Congress reiterates its support for
repeal of the anti-trade union laws"and sought to urge
the Government to ensure the incorporation of all International
Labour Organisation conventions into any new Bill of Rights.
Congress also re-affirmed its support for the Trade Union
Freedom Bill, which is to be placed before Parliament for
a second reading on 19 October 2007.
Congress went further
and agreed to step up the campaign for the repeal of all anti-trade
union laws.
Composite 3 on Employment
and trade union rights also called for a campaign for full
employment rights for all workers from day one of employment
and the Trade Union Freedom Bill, including provisions in
line with this year's request to the UK Government by the
ILO Committee of Experts to amend legislation to allow workers
'to participate in sympathy strikes, provided the initial
strike they are supporting is lawful' as well as an end to
the opt-out from the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Let us hope we see more
action on this front during the coming year.
Other motions that were
approved included Composite 2 calling for equal treatment
of agency workers. Motion 18 calls for trade union rights
for prison officers, which is one of the clauses in John McDonnell’s
Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill currently before parliament.
Motion 10 on trade union
democracy Congress voted for the UK Government to recognise
fully the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in
the case of ASLEF v UK and to repeal all legislative provisions
which deny to British trade unions the basic right to freedom
of association and which restrict the autonomy of trade unions
and their right to determine their own rules and membership,
complying with the decisions of the ILO and international
human rights instruments.
For details of all the
decisions go to the TUC
website.
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