‘ We will defend our right to strike – and our right to vote ’

National conference delegates this week voiced their determination to defend their rights as trade unionists and voters – against a wave of government suppression. A debate on defending the right to strike focussed on the government’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which the Lords sent back to the House of Commons last week, for the second time, with significant amendments that water down some of its anti-trade union aspects. Speaking of the use of work notices, which would allow employers to name specific staff on strike days – who would then be required to attend work under threat of disciplinary action or even being fired – one delegate said: “You know it will be a boss’s charter – they will name the union reps as the people required to come in, as an attempt to break the strike.” Delegates noted that UNISON must continue to lobby the Labour Party to ensure that, if it comes to power, it follows through on its commitments to repeal this and other anti-trade union laws. Speakers on the the motion ‘taking effective action within the straitjacket of anti-union laws’ addressed the NJC strike ballot currently underway in local government, with local government and school workers deciding whether to take industrial action over the employer’s latest below-inflation pay offer. Introducing the motion, Kath Owen of the NEC said: “We’re in the middle of a wave of industrial action. All of you in local government branches are working your socks off to...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News 2023 National Delegate Conference democracy Source Type: news