#TUC15 Says Kill the Bill

Greetings from a wet and windswept Brighton as Congress awaited the afternoon address by newly elected Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. 

 

This mornings debate on the Governments Trade Union Bill was the most serious I have witnessed at any TUC In recent years. An array of speakers supported a two page long composite motion which instructed the General Council to mount a substantial campaign of outright opposition and if necessary civil disobedience to what is, by any analysis, (and that includes yesterdays Financial Times) the most blatant and systemic attack on trade union democracy that we have ever seen.

 

Impact on Napo members 

 

Many of our members will have read the cursory media articles which merely focus on the raising of the ballot threshold in certain sectors before strike action, and it may even be that a few might have some sympathy with this idea.

 

Of course this so called positive change disguises the sinister motives behind the proposed legislation which is designed to:

 

lead to a serious imbalance of power within the workplace, undermining effective negotiations between employers and unions.

 

undermine constructive employment relations, extend disputes and make it more difficult to achieve amicable settlements.

 

prevent midwives, fire-fighters, teachers and cleaners working in the Underground from protesting against cuts in jobs, and pay and conditions. 

 

impose greater restrictions on trade unions than any other voluntary sector membership organisations.

 

The Conservatives claim to be the party of working people. However, their proposals will remove employees’ ability to achieve better working conditions and living standards.

 

Employers will be able to bring in agency workers with a view to breaking strikes, regardless of the consequences for health and safety.

 

Trade union protests and pickets will be subject to levels of public and police scrutiny and controls that go far beyond what is fair and acceptable in a modern democracy. These changes will also be a waste of police time.

 

I have called a special meeting of the Napo delegation at  the close of business today. I want to seek their advice on how we can start to get involved in the wider TUC Campaign and link these threats into our ongoing work to  encourage all our members and prospective new members to make the switch to Direct Debit. 

 

More on the Bill and how you can have your say via this link http://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2015/september/have-your-say-on-t...

  

Jez we can!

 

Amidst the biggest media scrum seen at the TUC since the Miners strike, strides Jeremy Corbyn MP; typically a few minutes later than planned, but then non-conformity has always been his trademark.

 

I first met Jeremy in 1984 when, as a newly elected MP he came to South London to support me in a council bye-election campaign in Bermondsey, and I was pleased to make his acquaintance again many years later during our TR campaigning which he always supported.

 

His measured, almost laid back style, is in marked contrast to the excessive bellicosity or public school smugness displayed by all too many politicians.

 

In terms of content, Jeremy set out an agenda for change in making it absolutely clear from the start that he believes  in the value of Trade unions in society as a progressive force for social change, whose six million members provide vital support for the UK economy and services that millions and millions of working people often take for granted.

 

Turning to the founding values of the movement, namely social justice, compassion, community spirit and respect for others, he explained how he intends to encourage people to approach politics from a different perspective.

 

He covered a wide range of subjects including the need to promote equality and inclusivity and for the UK Government to do more in response to the Refugee crisis.

 

He touched new ground when he talked about the need to strengthen the woefully inadequate support networks for  people with mental health issues and he received a loud cheer when revealing that his new shadow cabinet contained more women than any in Labours history.

 

Turning to issues around democracy, Corbyn drew further acclaim when pointing out that the vote he received in the leadership ballot was twice the size of the total membership of the Conservative party; and how their proposals via the Trade Union bill, to raise the percentage threshold of strike ballots were in stark contrast with the 24% vote they received in the general election.

 

In mapping out his strategy against austerity, he said that one of Labours priorities when returning to office would be a massive council house building project. Almost as popular was his pledge to ensure that business would be encouraged to appreciate that strong trade unions did not provide a threat to the UK economy, citing the fact that where unions are influential, wages and conditions of employment are usually superior.

 

All in all a common sense and not so radical agenda for change as we had been led to expect, but its very early days of course. There is no doubt that the jury is out as to whether Jeremy will be around at the next election or not, but one thing can be certain under his leadership, that policies rather than individuals will be the priority.

 

More news from #TUC15 to follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

world where