“The government has decided to bring in even more anti trade union laws, outlawing the right to strike in the transport sector, and other sectors could follow.”
Mick Lynch, RMT General Secretary
By Matt Willgress, Labour Outlook
Mick Lynch, General Secretary of the RMT, has issued a rallying call for this weekend’s (December 3) major campaign for free trade unions conference hosted by the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom.
In a video promoting the event, which is being addressed by numerous trade union MPS, workers in current disputes and other progressive campaigners, the union leader argues that “One of the main causes of the worsening poverty and inequality in our country is because there are so many anti-trade union laws designed to weaken workers and their unions.”
The RMT General Secretary goes on to say that “Now workers and their unions are leading the fight back against the Tory cost of living crisis,” and warns that “in response, the government has decided to bring in even more anti trade union laws, outlawing the right to strike in the transport sector, and other sectors could follow. “
For these reasons, he argus that “the campaigning for free trade unions Conference in London on 3rd December comes at exactly the right time,” and urges labour movement activists to join the RMT “and other unions at the conference to hear how we can mobilise together to protect and improve trade union and employment rights and win a fairer, more equal society.”
With the RMT, UCU, CWU, FBU, NEU, PCS, NASUWT, Unite, RCN and other unions taking industrial action at the moment – or in the process of balloting for action – this Conference has become particularly timely and important. Labour Outlook urges our readers to be part of it.
- CONFERENCE: FROM PENTONVILLE TO P&O: union rights & tory wrongs – campaigning for free trade unions takes place on Saturday, December 3rd at Hamilton House Mabledon Place London WC1H 9BD
- With Frances O’Grady, TUC; Dave Ward, CWU; Kevin Courtney, NEU; Jo Grady, UCU; Mark Serwotka, PCS; Mick Lynch, RMT; Mick Whelan, ASLEF; Barry Gardiner MP; John McDonnell MP; Professor Keith Ewing; Lord John Hendy KC; Ben Chacko, Morning Star; Matt Foot, Lawyer & writer; Andy Green, CTUF & Unite EC; Nabeela Mowlana, Young Labour; Laura Pidcock, Peoples Assembly & more, including workers in dispute.
- Hosted by the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom. Supported by the Institute of Employment Rights. Register for free here.
- You can follow the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on Twitter here and Facebook here.
