Trade Union Freedom Bill

THE 1979-97 Tory government introduced many anti-trade union laws that severely restricted workers’ right to fight for their jobs, wages and conditions.

New Labour kept these draconian laws on the statute books. The Trade Union Freedom Bill, being put forward in parliament soon, tries to remove some of the worst aspects of these laws.

If the Bill is passed, it could increase the legal freedom that trade unions have to organise strikes and other industrial action, unconstrained by fear of dismissal or victimisation. It aims to reduce the bureaucratic rules about strike ballots and strike notices etc. and tries to stop employers using legal loopholes to get injunctions against industrial action.

The Socialist Party supports this bill, even though it falls short of abolishing the anti-union legislation. The employers’ plans must be effectively fought through active struggle by working people and their unions.