Joint Fringe Meeting with the United Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti-Trade Union Laws

Meeting Room 1 (Hall B West) Brighton Conference Centre 5.30pm (or end of TUC session)

Speakers so far include:
Brian Caton, General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association (POA)
Bob Crow, General Secretary, National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
Jon Cruddas MP for Dagenham
Prof Keith Ewing, President, IER
Sally Hunt, General Secretary, University and College Union (UCU)
Pam Jones, National Group on Homeworkers
John McDonnell, MP
Sarah Veale, Head, Equality and Employment Rights, TUC
Tony Woodley, General Secretary, TGWU-UNITE

chaired by:
John Hendy QC, Chair, IER

sponsored by:
Thompsons Solicitors

For the past two years Congress has supported motions calling for the repeal of anti trade union laws and the introduction of a Trade Union Freedom Bill. Congress has also called for greater regulation of the labour market to ensure vulnerable workers (migrant, agency, women and the low paid) are not exploited by ruthless employers.

This year is no different. Congress will discuss many motions concerning employment rights and trade union freedoms. It will discuss cuts in the public services, problems with privatisation and contracting out and the need to curtail the excesses of fat cats in the boardrooms and the activities of global private equity companies.

What is different this year is that we have a new Prime Minister, a new Cabinet, a new “big tent” approach to politics and a general election around the corner. There are few signs yet that the new PM is thinking of changing direction – there are no trade union appointments in the “big tent” to match the promotion of Digby Jones; the Fundamental Charter of Social Rights has been “red lined”; the Trade Union Freedom Bill has been blocked at an early stage and attempts are in hand to reduce the trade union voice at Conference.

So what exactly is on the Brown agenda? What do trade unionists want to see in the next Election Manifesto? Where will unions draw their “red lines” over policy issues?

We already know the Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill is due a Second Reading on 19th October. The United Campaign has organised a Rally of Parliament in support of the Bill for 18th October and the TUC General Council has agreed to support that Rally. We also know that new legislation is due to be introduced in the form of a proposed Employment Simplification Bill.

But will the proposed Employment Simplification Bill go as far as the popular Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill? If not, will unions in the UK follow the example of our sister unions in Australia and organise a centrally coordinated, multi-union funded and supported campaign aimed at raising the political profile of the calls for trade union rights at work?

Come to the fringe. Join in the debate. Let your voice be heard.