Trades Union Freedom Bill

The Trades Dispute Act 1906 introduced a system for immunities from tortuous liability for unions when organising industrial action. Conference recognises that these rights have been eroded over the last 30 years and, in addition to this, we now see union members, and officials, being disciplined and/or dismissed for carrying out legitimate Trades Union activities. The proposed Trades Union Freedom Bill (TUFB) has five main principles, namely: (1) better protection for striking workers. (2) simpler and fairer industrial action balloting and notice procedure. (3) restricted use of injunctions by employers. (4) allowing solidarity action in certain circumstances. (5) preventing the use of replacement labour during strikes. We believe these principles are basic human rights therefore Conference calls upon the Executive Council to join the campaign for the introduction of the TUFB by offering both financial and political support.