TUC

Minimum Service Law: win “no work notice” pledges!

The TUC has complied with its congress decision for a national demonstration against the Tories’ new Minimum Service anti-strike law, but called it in Cheltenham ( 27 January , Montpellier Gardens, GL50 1UL). The official reason is to celebrate the fight for union rights at GCHQ, which is in Cheltenham. However, Cheltenham is neither a big industrial city, nor a labour-movement stronghold, nor central to transport networks so that demonstrators can easily travel from the major cities. We will still work to make the protest as big as we can, but other modes of resistance will surely be...

Letter: Missing element on TUC

I thought it was noteworthy, and in need of explanation, that Dan Katz’s report of the resounding vote for solidarity with Ukraine at TUC Congress ( Solidarity 684 ) did not mention the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (USC). From working with GMB, ASLEF and NUM to ensure pro-Ukraine motions were submitted, to organising or helpful a fight in various unions over the vote, to a high-profile social media campaign generating awareness and pressure, USC’s role was central. In two unions where Workers’ Liberty did, indeed, play a crucial role in winning strong stands (PCS and, in an impressive...

TUC votes to back Ukraine

TUC Congress (Liverpool, 10 to 13 September) overwhelmingly passed a pro-Ukraine composite submitted by the GMB, the train drivers’ union Aslef, and the miners’ union, NUM. The motion demanded that the British trade union movement, “send solidarity to all Ukrainian trade unionists who are fighting for workers’ rights and against [Russian] imperialism.” The motion, carried overwhelmingly on a show of hands, advocated, “immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from all Ukrainian territories occupied since 2014.” Disgracefully, two unions opposed the composite: the Bakers’ Union, and the...

TUC calls for action on anti-strike laws

TUC congress in Liverpool (10-13 September) passed important motions on the anti-strike and anti-union laws. The TUC bureaucracy and many union leaderships will want to ignore those motions, but we must not let them. Delegates voted for: • Three separate calls for repeal of all anti-union laws. • A national campaign on this issue, including a “national march”. • Non-compliance with the Minimum Service Levels law, including campaigning for relevant employers to refuse to issue work notices. • Convening a special congress to discuss non-compliance and resistance broadly. Several unions submitted...

Protest against the barge

On Saturday 16 September 200 demonstrated against the Bibby Stockholm migrant barge in Portland, Dorset. The protest was called by the local “Portland Global Friendship Group” and Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) and was supported by people from across the South West and unions including Unite, Unison, PCS, NEU, and Dorset Trades Council. The rally and demonstration through Portland demanded scrapping the migrant barge and providing safe accommodation for migrants. The rally included speeches from local organisers and union members, officials from the South West TUC, Unite, Bridgwater TUC, Dorset...

The drivel of comrade Blimp

Doug Nicholls is Britain’s longest-serving union bureaucrat, but his name will mean nothing to most rank and file union activists

Trade Unions for Trans Rights launches

About a hundred people attended the Trade Unions for Trans Right launch event at the TUC headquarters in London on 29 April. Workplace and branch activists, national officers, union staffers and two general secretaries were joined by other left-leaning trans rights campaigners. Despite a lot of speakers, there was – refreshingly for a TUC-linked event – lots of time for contributions from the floor. There was useful discussion about issues including: changing and strengthening unions' positions; producing and centralising resources for union activists; taking up these questions in a variety of...

TUC youth conference rejects solidarity

Delegates at the TUC’s Young Workers’ Conference on 2 April narrowly voted down a motion for migrants’ rights and freedom of movement. The defeat reflects the continuing influence in our unions of divisive myths, short-sighted sectionalism, and outright xenophobia. While the labour movement clings to border enforcement policies, it attacks swathes of its own class, and fights with one hand tied behind its back. The motion (text below) opposed the Rwanda deportation plan and its demands included free movement for all; an end to the Hostile Environment, raids and deportations; and safe and legal...

The Tories will be "weak" only if we get stronger

Keir Starmer's claim at the 25 January Prime Minister's Questions that Rishi Sunak is "hopelessly weak" reflected a favourite Labour leadership theme. The problem with the Tories is supposedly that they are weak, incompetent, and so on. Their policies serve the interests of the rich at the expense of the majority? That is played down, secondary, considered a less vote-catching comment. So a strong Tory government, competently implementing its noxious agenda, would be better? Starmer claimed that Sunak was "too weak" to deal with Nadhim Zahawi's tax evasion. Such a nonsensical idea fits well...

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.