Len McCluskey's TUC speech
12 September 2011
Moving on behalf of Unite Composite C on trade union
rights
Brothers and Sisters,
This debate could be a ritual. We have it every year.
Unanimously vote for the composite and then get on with working
within laws which we do not really expect to be changed. It is time
– past time – that we took a different approach. This composite
makes it clear what is needed. Let me read just one sentence from
it:
“Congress calls on the TUC to develop an industrial strategy
of resistance so that workers are not left to fight alone against
draconian laws and exploiting bosses”
Resistance. Resistance.
What does it mean? It will mean learning from the student
movement’s struggles to support decent education. It will mean
building on the impetus of the magnificent trade union march for an
alternative this year, the biggest in our movement’s history. It
will mean learning from our best fighting traditions.But it cannot
mean meekly accepting the laws as it stands. Unite has spent enough
time going in and out of courts arguing for the basic right of
employees to collectively withdraw their labour. At British Airways
and elsewhere.
Of course we must win the argument for trade union rights. Use
the language of fairness and freedom which resonates with those who
are not our members. But let’s also say – if tax avoidance is
lawful and unpunished. Let’s plan for anti-union law
avoidance in the same spirit.
Our problems today are with the Tory-Lib Dem pantomime horse
which is flirting with new anti-union laws. But it would be
dishonest – nonsensical – to pretend that this is not in some
measure a bipartisan problem. The fact that we came to an end of 13
years of Labour government with the Thatcher laws still in place is
a stain on Labour’s record. And a betrayal of its historic mission
and purpose of advancing working people’s rights.
I welcome Ed Miliband’s identification with trade union values
– values which are shared by the majority of the British people
incidentally. But we want to see empathy turned into policy. And a
clear understanding that the next Labour government will recognise
the value to our society of free trade unionism and legislate
accordingly.
Today, as the composite makes clear, the Bullingdon Bolsheviks
in government are threatening to bring in still further laws to
attack free trade unionism. If they do we must be clear how we will
respond. Then we will bring Wisconsin to Westminster. And we will
win. Because our movement does not speak for itself alone.
But for millions of decent people across the country. Who are
not prepared to put up with more class legislation. Designed to
make it harder for ordinary people to stand up for themselves.
While the feral ruling class gets away scot free with their
crimes
Law is an essential thing for a civilised society of course.
But class law, pushed through a parliament full of expense cheats.
By a cobbled-together coalition which no-one voted for. Is not
going to paralyse me and it should not paralyse our movement.
Why should the working people of Britain – this country which
has stood, sometimes alone in the world, for freedom and democracy.
Enjoy fewer rights and freedoms than our brothers and sisters in
France and Germany. Our rights – including the right to organise
and struggle together for a better life for working people -
are not the gift of ministers or judges.
They are ours to assert.
With confidence in the justice of our cause.
And our strength to secure it.
I move
