Discussion: The “Workers’ Bill of Rights” is welcome, but we need clarity and drive on right to strike

This discussion article was written by a Free Our Unions supporter. We welcome responses and further contributions. Email freeourunions@gmail.com with submissions. At its event in London on 3 December, the Institute of Employment Rights (IER) called for comments on and responses to its new Workers’ Rights in Times of Crisis pamphlet and the “Workers’ Bill

Discussion: unions must call national demo against new anti-strike laws

By a Free Our Unions supporter After months of mainly silence or bullish dismissiveness, unions have started to sound the alarm about the Tories’ new proposals for a “minimum service” law, and at least nod to the need for protest. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has called for a “mass movement of resistance”,

Demonstrate at Downing Street on 16 January!

RMT has called a protest on Monday 16 January at 6pm, on Whitehall opposite Downing Street (London SW1A 2AA), to oppose the government’s plans for new anti-strike laws.

Free Our Unions open organising meeting: 7pm, 17 January

Join us to discuss how we can catalyse activity in our unions against the Tories’ plans for new restrictions on the right to strike.

Tories plan a dictatorship of the boss

In 1997, Tony Blair approvingly described Britain as having “the most restrictive union laws in the western world.” There is no legally-enshrined right to strike; unions are forced to jump over a series of bureaucratic hurdles in order to take action; strikes for political demands are illegal; strikes in solidarity with other workers are illegal.

Islington council stands with striking workers

Islington borough council, in north London, has passed a resolution supporting striking workers, and opposing anti-union laws.

Free Our Unions organising meeting, 19 December, 7pm

We’ll be holding an open organising meeting for our campaign on Monday 19 December at 7pm. All supporters are welcome.

Motion to Unite policy conference 2023

The Glasgow Not for Profit Sector branch of Unite has passed the following motion, for submission to Unite’s 2023 policy conference. If you’re a member of Unite, please consider proposing a similar motion in your branch.

Unite to resist anti-union laws

Free Our Unions activists are looking forward to participating in the conference held on 3 February by the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom and Institute for Employment Rights. We encourage all supporters of our campaign to attend the conference if they can.

Solidarity with education workers in Ontario

Education workers in Ontario, Canada, are facing down repressive anti-union laws imposed by the province’s right-wing government.