 The United Campaign Reports back from TUC Congress 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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United Campaign
