A message from Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary:

I’ve just finished speaking to special TUC Congress, a once in a generation gathering of trade unions. The last time we met like this was over forty years ago, to fight Margaret Thatcher’s anti-union legislation.

We now have a new fight on our hands. The Tories’ Minimum Service Levels legislation will mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.

This year, I have stood on dozens of picket lines with thousands of workers. With physios, paramedics, rail workers, university lecturers, civil servants, teachers and more.

Today, special Congress resolved that we will continue to fight for their right to strike. And for the right of every worker to strike. We will defy this government and we will get this unjust law repealed.

Our movement made clear today that if they come for one worker, they will face us all.

Our campaign will continue in our workplaces and communities – and today we announced our next national action. So on 27 January, the whole movement will march with the sacked GCHQ workers through Cheltenham, to commemorate their victory and to recommit ourselves to defiant opposition to minimum service levels, trade union restrictions and any threat to the right to strike.
Join the march and rally in Cheltenham to make our voices heard.

Protect the Right to Strike: National march and rally in Cheltenham

Saturday, 27 January, 2024 • 12:00 noon

Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham

Read more here.