TRADE unionists at the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival have vowed to fight any attempt by the new Labour government to water down its new deal for working people.
Legislation outlined in the King’s speech under the employment Bill included promises to repeal anti-union laws, introduce a “genuine” living wage and end fire and rehire within Labour’s first 100 days of office.
RMT president Alex Gordon, who praised plans to renationalise railways, said none of it would have been possible without the “relentless” work by trade unions.
He also highlighted the “enormous wave” of public unrest and industrial action, and the united front from unions to oppose minimum service levels as factors the new Labour government could not ignore.
Speaking at the debate organised jointly by the Institute for Employment Rights (IER) and Campaign for Trade Union Freedom (CTUF) on Saturday, he said: “Now we’ve got to hold this government to account on implementing what it says in its manifesto.”
General Federation of Trade Unions general secretary Gawain Little warned that the Labour government will be under huge pressure from the business and corporate lobby to tone down the plans.
He stressed the importance of continuing the industrial and political fight”on the government to ensure this does not happen.
Adrian Weir, CTUF assistant general secretary, insisted there is “more to do” from Labour, including extending collective bargaining across the economy, not just in social care.
He said the decline in collective bargaining — from 80 per cent of workplaces in the 1980s to less than 25 per cent now — is the reason why pay has fallen so “catastrophically.”
“The right to strike also needs to be installed too, otherwise collective bargaining will be collective begging,” Mr Weir said.
PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote too emphasised what Labour needs to do beyond the King’s speech, including more protections for disabled workers and an end to outsourcing.
She warned that outsourcing is “a key driver of institutional racism and gender inequality” as many such workers are migrant women.
Former shadow chancellorJohn McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes & Harlington, said his party must deliver in the next couple of years or risk the country “going to the far right.”
He called the size of the Reform vote in the general election dangerous, noting that there was “absolute disillusionment” on the doorstep when canvassing.
