Trade Union Rights

On this day in 1989 the Labour Party abandoned its policy on trade union closed shops. At the time Shadow employment secretary Tony Blair said the move was crucial for a sustainable approach from the party to employment. Blair said “We have got to bring our law into line with the rest of Europe.” Liverpool MP Eric Heffer said: “It adds up to a very real retreat as far as our principles are concerned. It is unnecessary because we can win the next election without giving away any of our principles.”

The comments of Tony Blair were welcomed by the Tory Employment secretary Norman Fowler who said employees should be considered on merit and not on their union affiliations. A new government Employment Bill was published during the same week as Labour’s policy change which was designed to ‘help curb unofficial strikes’. Since then workers rights in the UK have all but evaporated.

Eric Heffer (left) with Labour leader Michael Foot at the Labour Party conference 1982

Trade Union banner 2016

Eric Heffer MP (left) with Tony Mulhearn & Eddy Loyden MP. Early 1980s

March against government cuts in jobs, services and pensions. London November 2011

Tony Blair 1994

Trade Union banner 2016

Picket at News International 1986

Trade Union demonstration for a decent wage, 2003

March against government cuts in jobs, services and pensions. London November 2011

Workers on strike, East London c.1988

Trade Union banner 2016

Junior Doctors on strike. Liverpool 2016

Trade Union banner 2016

Anti-racist TUC demo, Whitechapel 1994

Trade Union member, on strike. East London 2010

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