Union leader warns of industrial confrontation “unseen since the 1970s” ahead over anti-union laws
- Union leader says new anti-strike laws could mean imminent confrontation not seen since 1970s
- Warning comes as TUC special congress fires starting gun on campaign of non-compliance
- Industrial action could overshadow General Election, says union
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has said that the new anti-strike laws could trigger the start of trade union defiance unseen since the 1970s.
Wrack issued the stark warning ahead of a TUC special congress on Saturday 9th December to discuss its plans to resist the Minimum Service Levels Act.
On the table will be a campaign of mass-compliance, a strategy which has not been tried in earnest since the 1970s.
The new law is expected to start taking effect across three sectors – ambulance service, the rail network and border security – from the middle of December, with regulations for the fire and rescue service, education and nuclear decommissioning set to be introduced soon.
Trade unions have warned that the new law amounts to a de-facto ban on strike action for many workers and that they may have no choice but to defy the laws.
Employers will be able to impose ‘work notices' to make staff come in on strike days. However, Britain's main unions will discuss how to take on and defy the Tory legislation as part of a civil disobedience campaign.
The FBU was at the forefront of winning the TUC's support for a strategy of non-cooperation and non-compliance in September.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
"The Act is a blatant attempt to ban strikes and prevent workers defending their jobs, wages and conditions against the backdrop of Tory austerity and the cost-of-living crisis.
"It's about protecting bosses against workers.
"The reality of the legislation is now becoming clear. In key sectors, employers will be able to issue work notices compelling a majority of employees to work even after a democratic vote for strike action.
"That's effectively trying to outlaw strikes.
"It's the biggest attack on workers' rights in postwar Britain, and reminiscent of the oppressive restrictions that exist in dictatorships and authoritarian regimes."
Wrack added:
"The FBU and other unions will not accept this attack on working people by this government led by multi-millionaires and which ruthlessly serves the interests of the billionaires and bosses.
"The TUC summit on Saturday 9 December could well mark the start of a campaign of non-compliance with this legislation, with workers striking in defiance of work notices.
"A campaign of non-cooperation backed by the TUC would represent the most significant act of defiance by unions since the 1970s when anti-worker legislation was defeated through mass defiance of the law.
"This could mean a wave of strikes next year, up to and during the next General Election.”
ENDS
