Unions to use MPs to force through Trade Union rights

Labour MP calls upon Trade Unions to use MPs to force through Trade Union Freedom Bill if Government refuses to act

Trade Union rights to form battleground at Labour Party conference

As Ian McCartney, the Chair of the Labour Party, calls upon Trade Unions at today's TUC to fall in line behind the Labour Party, Labour MP John McDonnell, LRC Chair and Co-ordinator of a range Trade Union Parliamentary groups, has called upon trade unions to make it clear that if the Government refuses to act to bring forward new legislation on trade union rights they will use the MPs who are members of their Trade Union groups in Parliament to force through this legislation.

John McDonnell MP has acted as advisor to the unions supporting trade union law reform, in devising a strategy for the trade unions to draft their own Trade Union Freedom Bill. This has secured TUC support at Congress this week and the unions will demand support from trade union-backed MPs for this reform.

John McDonnell said,

“After 8 years of New Labour failing to act on the issues of basic trade union rights, trade unions have had enough. Patience has run out and pleas for acquiescence from New Labour just won't wash anymore. Gate Gourmet in my constituency is just one more horrendous example exposing the implications of the Government's failure to reform the law to protect trade union members.”

“Trade Unions will now have to appeal above the heads of Government Ministers to Labour MPs who are members of their union Parliamentary groups. This issue is so critical to the future of the trade union movement that I am urging each trade union to call upon the members of their Parliamentary groups to sign up for the proposed Trade Union Freedom Bill, even if the Government is not willing to support the Bill at this stage. If MPs are not willing to sign up then it is clear that there is no point in having them associated with the union through their Parliamentary Group.”

“Cabinet ministers associated with trade unions should also be forcing this issue onto the cabinet agenda. Our target is to ensure that this reform bill is either in the Queen's speech in November 2006 or is forced through that session despite the attitude of Number 10 or 11.”

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