NSSN-supporters-at-the-TUC-lobby-of-parliament-Photo-James-Ivens
NSSN-supporters-at-the-TUC-lobby-of-parliament-Photo-James-Ivens

Motion: Preparing to take on minimum service levels attacks

This conference/union/branch/trades council recognises the ‘Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill’ is a major attack on trade union rights. Sunak’s Conservative government is attempting draconian, undemocratic measures to curtail the right to strike.

Coming on the back of four decades of brutal Tory anti-union legislation, from that of Thatcher and Major through to Cameron, Johnson and now Sunak, it is clearly designed to cut across the strike wave across all sectors, rather than tackle the causes of the cost-of-living crisis. This is another crude attempt to shift the blame for inflation onto the working class whereas every worker knows it is the bosses and their class’s profiteering, which has created the crisis.

The bill would allow employers to issue a notice to unions setting out who is required to work during a strike. This potentially leaves unions who refuse to comply open to serious financial penalties through sequestration of funds and removes workers’ protection from being dismissed for undertaking lawful industrial action.

We believe no individual union or member should be left isolated and the whole of the trade union movement must mobilise – collectively – in defence of workers’ rights.

We demand:                                                                                         

  • All unions and the TUC urgently call a national Saturday demonstration against the new law
  • Keir Starmer pledges an incoming Labour government to reverse fines and other measures taken against any union under the terms of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act
  • All employers refuse to use the provisions of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act and that a lead in such non-compliance be given by any government, council, fire authority or other employer led by the Labour Party
  • If any union is taken to court or worker threatened with dismissal, an emergency demonstration is called and an immediate meeting of the TUC General Council be convened to organise mass co-ordinated strike action, including a 24-hour general strike
  • The repeal of all anti-union legislation

We support the rally to be held at TUC Congress in Liverpool on Sunday 10 September lobbying for this programme of action.

Saturday 24 June

Conway Hall, London

Building the strike wave: How workers are fighting back against the cost-of-living squeeze

11am – 1.30pm

Trade union activists from across the movement will contribute to the discussion, including rail workers, postal workers, teachers, nurses and more. Speakers from trade unions affiliated to the NSSN at a national level will introduce the discussion and have the right to reply. So far, confirmed speakers include: NIPSA General Secretary Carmel Gates, BFAWU General Secretary Sarah Woolley, POA General Secretary Steve Gillan, Unite National Lead Officer Onay Kasab, RMT London Transport Regional Organiser Jared Wood, NAPO National Official Annoesjka Valent, GMB Officer Gary Palmer from the victorious #GMBThree (personal capacity), Rob Williams NSSN Chair.

Fighting the Tory anti-union laws

2.30 – 4.30pm

How can the minimum service levels legislation be defeated? The motion printed below, drafted by the NSSN steering committee, will be moved and discussed.

Elections to the steering committee will take place during this session