This year’s conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), beginning on 10 September, will take place at a critical stage. The Tories have, before the parliamentary summer recess, passed into law their latest tranche of anti-union legislation, the brutal Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act. It has the potential power to fine unions up to £1 million for every infringement of the law, as well as exposing striking workers to the clear risk of dismissal. The actual bringing of the new law into force will be a live issue for the TUC Congress.
The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) conference in June agreed a model resolution to prepare for mass coordinated action should the law be used against workers; and to demand of employers, especially where that is a Labour-controlled authority, that they do not issue work notices. The model motion can be found by visiting tinyurl.com/ya7rp2tw
The NSSN is rallying and lobbying the TUC to take a lead at this crucial point.
