Anti-union laws must be challenged across the UK

Barbara Fulton

By John Stevenson

Unions at the STUC Congress threw out a call for trade union legislation to be devolved to Scotland as it re-stated its aim to challenge anti-union laws across the UK.

While the Fire Brigades Union call was seductive, there would be no guarantee that any changes Scottish legislation would be any better that what we have now.

Opposing the motion and underlining the need for a UK-wide campaign, Barbara Fulton listed UNISON's action and demands on anti-union laws.

• a legal right to strike
• a right to claim fair dismissal from day-one of employment
• extending the right to statutory trade union recognition in every workplace
• more rights for agency workers, welcoming the advances made in Europe

"UNISON wishes to see improved laws apply to all workers across the UK - our members see the UK operating as a single labour market", said Barbara.

"This is why in both UNISON's and the STUC's reponse to the Calman Commission, we argued that employment law was one of the issues that must remain a reserved power".

top | STUC Index