As part of our campaign to stop the government’s Trade Union Bill the TUC is organising a lobby of parliament on 2 November 2015. We want MPs to hear directly from their constituents that:
- The Bill threatens the right to strike
- Employers will be able to break strikes by bringing in agency workers to cover for strikers, which could risk public safety and impact on the quality of service.
- The Bill proposes new heavy-handed restrictions on picketing and protests – striking workers will have to tell their employer all of their plans (including what they will post on Facebook or Twitter or whether they will use a loudspeaker) two weeks before they strike.
- Threatening the right to strike tilts the balance in the workplace too far towards the employers and that will mean workers can’t stand up for decent services and safety at work, or defend their jobs or pay
Every MP should recognise that their constituents have a right to lobby them, whether or not you voted for them. You can lobby your MP either in Parliament or at the constituency surgery which most MPs will organise on a regular basis. If they don’t have regular surgeries, they will usually list a phone number on their website where you can make an appointment to see them.
You can find our who your local MP is at http://www.theyworkforyou.com
Send them an email or write a letter at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA. An example of a letter can be found here.
If you have contacted your MP please let us know whether:
- You are awaiting a reply
- They have refused to meet you
- They have agreed to meet you on 2 November in London
- They have agreed to meet you in the constituency (and date)
by emailing bchteam@unison.co.uk Please put “TU Bill MP Response” in the subject line.
Campaign Resources
UNISON campaign resources available can be found on the national website: https://www.unison.org.uk/our-campaigns/trade-union-bill-2015/
As well as an activists briefing there are detailed briefings on each of the main parts of the Bill: facility time, equality, health & safety, the right to strike, ballot thresholds, picket line intimidation and agency workers
Campaign posters, stickers, placards and leaflets can be ordered by branches free of charge here.
If you’re a member of the Labour party you can put this motion to your local party meeting.
You can find a summary of the arguments against the Bill here.