FOR TRADE UNION FREEDOM

www.rmt.org.uk :: october 2006 :: RMTnews 15 The TUC last month debated just how we can make the need for trade-union freedom a reality. This was particularly appropriate as it is 100 years since the Trade Disputes Act first gave workers protection against imprisonment or having their unions’ funds seized for striking. It is a quarter of a century since Thatcher unleashed her ferocious assault on union rights, designed to blunt the one weapon that could have stopped the systematic privatisation of public services and utilities and the destruction of the mining industry. Yet Britain’s workers still have to jump through hoops to take industrial action at all, while action against privatisation remains all-but illegal, and solidarity, the core principle of the trade union movement, remains effectively criminalised. It is different matter for employers, who remain free to take ‘secondary action’ by bringing in scab managers from subsidiaries to do striking workers’ jobs. More than ever we need a level playing field, and the Trade Union Freedom Bill would begin to deliver it. It would simplify complex and rigid balloting and notice rules that allow employers to go to court over minor and accidental breaches that would not have affected the outcome of the vote. It would clearly define the right to strike, remove the blanket ban on solidarity action and would stop the use of agency labour to break strikes. It would protect people taking lawful strike action against being sued or sacked, and it would establish the right of a worker deemed to be unfairly dismissed to have the automatic right to re- instatement. It is great that the Bill is now backed by an overwhelming majority of Labour MPs – a fact that underlines just how out of touch are those who oppose it. RMT’s 2006 AGM called on the union to organise a national shop-stewards’ conference, open to all trade unionists, with one of its focuses being to build support for the campaign for the Trade Union Freedom Bill. Delegates recognised that the depth and breadth of grass-roots organisation of workplace reps has always been a crucial barometer of the general health of the trade-union movement. The conference is fast gaining momentum, and already has the support of many unions, all of which will be represented at senior level. However, the purpose of the day is not simply to listen to ‘top-table’ speakers, and the measure of its success will be the active and vocal participation of trade unionists from the broadest possible range of backgrounds. For trade union freedom RMT general secretary Bob Crow previews the national shop stewards conference due to take place in London later this month Conference is by registration. To register please email j.croy@rmt.org.uk, including the name and workplace of your union or write to RMT, Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JD. NATIONAL SHOP STEWARDS CONFERENCE OCTOBER 28 2006, 11.30 – 3.30, CAMDEN CENTRE BIDBOROUGH STREET, WC1H 9JE Confirmed speakers; Carolyn Jones, Institute for Employment Rights Bob Crow, RMT General Secretary Tony Woodley T&GWU General Secretary Tony Kearns, CWU Deputy General Secretary Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary Paul Mackney, UCU Joint General Secretary Jeremy Dear, NUJ General Secretary Steve Kemp, NUM National Secretary Dave Proctor, CYWU National Officer Matt Wrack FBU General Secretary Joe Marino, BFAWU General Secretary