Trade Union Bill

How can we fight under new strike laws?

Offshore workers in the Unite union are the latest to have their legal right to strike blocked by the Trade Union Act. But it is possible to fight as Royal Mail have shown.

Trade Union Act—what do the Tories call 'important public services'?

For workers in some sectors the new Tory Trade Union Act puts up an additional barrier in an attempt to prevent strikes. If workers who usually provide “important public services” are balloted, at least 40 percent of those eligible to vote must vote yes. This is on top of the new rule that a ballot must have a 50 percent turnout

Defy the Trade Union Act

Workers’ rights were rolled back this week as rules in the Trade Union Act 2016 came into force.

Labour council threatens to use Tory law against strikers

A Labour-led council is threatening to use the Tory anti-union laws against a group of its own workers in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.

Is this the end for national strikes?

Will we see a national strike by large numbers of workers ever again?

TUC congress delegates pass motions opposing austerity and racism

The TUC bureaucracy was pessimistic about the prospects of defending workers' rights at conference in Brighton this week.

TUC Congress - unions must break the law to defend workers' rights

13 September 2016
This year’s TUC congress in Brighton came after the Tories passed their Trade Union Act in May.

Draconian Trade Union Act could have been stopped and must be defied

10 May 2016
The Tories’ Trade Union Act 2016 was given royal approval last week and Britain’s anti-union laws got even more restrictive.

‘Jeremy Corbyn gives us hope to fight,’ says Bfawu union leader Ian Hodson

22 March 2016
What did Jeremy Corbyn’s election mean for the left and trade unionists?

FBU union leader Matt Wrack slams his critics in Labour

26 February 2016
FBU firefighter’s union general secretary Matt Wrack said he won’t be rattled by “people within the Labour party machine who clearly don’t want to see change”. In an exclusive interview with Socialist Worker Wrack responded to claims this week that his attempt to rejoin the Labour Party was questioned by his local party.

'We can’t miss this moment', says PCS leader Mark Serwotka

23 February 2016
PCS union leader Mark Serwotka told Charlie Kimber that Jeremy Corbyn’s election as Labour leader is a historic opportunity to build resistance—and stronger trade unions

The Tories' attack on junior doctors - a threat to every worker and a fight for us all

16 February 2016
The Tories have declared war—the unions have to win it.

The best way to defend union rights is to strike like Lambeth library workers

09 February 2016
The TUC’s week of action against the Trade Union Bill began on Monday with plans for workers to hold workplace meetings and protests against the new anti-union laws.

EXCLUSIVE - leaked minister's letter shows Tory panic over Trade Union Bill

07 February 2016
A restricted government document leaked to Socialist Worker shows that the Tories are in disarray over their anti-union Trade Union Bill.

Time to fight for our unions

26 January 2016
Despite minor setbacks, the Tories’ push for even more anti-union laws continues—and must be resisted.

Don't let the Tories get away with murder

26 January 2016
Turn anger against the Tories into action

TUC says call walkouts to defend union rights

12 January 2016
A government watchdog has warned the Tories’ Trade Union Bill could breach human rights.

Thousands join Glasgow rally against Tory union bill

15 December 2015
Some 1,700 people joined a Scottish TUC (STUC)rally against austerity and the Tories’ Trade Union Bill in Glasgow on Thursday of last week.

Workers get organised to take on Tories at the Unite the Resistance conference

17 November 2015
There was a defiant mood at last Saturday’s Unite the Resistance (UTR) conference in central London.

Union leaders—friends with two faces

17 November 2015
Trade union leaders talked a good fight against the Tories’ new bill, but never delivered one. Raymie Kiernan looks at why the officials hold back—and what we can do about it