THIS winter trade unionists have every right to feel discontent about the government on many fronts but especially the imposition of legislation which strikes at the heart of the basic right to strike.  

The Tory government, bunkered in the bowels of Westminster, has rushed a new law through Parliament which will mean 40 per cent of normal passenger and infrastructure services being run in the event of a strike on the railways. We are not alone; many other sectors will be badly hit by the draconian Minimum Service Levels Act. 

Not only have ministers failed to listen to our union, sister unions, a range of MPs and the Tory chair of the transport committee which carried out a full investigation; they are willingly ignoring the flashing warning signs in front of their very eyes.  

We have been clear from the start — this legislation is not needed and serves only to inflame tensions. It is counterproductive and will lead to more disputes not fewer. What the government knows, but simply fails to recognise, is that putting still greater obstacles in the way of workers who only ever withdraw their labour as a last resort breaks a fundamental contract.  

Our trade union movement sits at the centre of civic society, representing millions of ordinary people across the country. The Tories seem hell-bent on pushing us to the margins. These are the workers who were vital during the pandemic, and who have seen their living standards slide and public services cut to the bone by the chaos of the past 13 years.  

Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak have all had the chance to rebuild our public realm. All have spurned that, choosing instead to clobber unions and our industries which are vital to the British economy.  

That’s why I’m glad to see the TUC come together at this moment. It’s notable that a such a gathering has not taken place in over 40 years, not since Margaret Thatcher was in power. That should tell us all we need to know about the fight ahead and the severity of the situation.  

We have been here before and come through such attacks, especially on the railways. I think of the historic Taff Vale case which tried to end the right to strike, with unions being held liable for the costs of a walkout. Our union fought this at the start of the 20th century and eventually won. 

That victory came about not only because we stood up across the railways and with our TUC comrades, but because we had our Labour Party advocating in Parliament.  

The response from the Establishment was an attempt to halt unions’ political funds but that too was eventually overturned. Theer are other examples of anti-union laws from more recent times — just as senseless, just as vindictive.  

Labour needs to stand with us now, our entire movement, to say loud and clear that this egregious Minimum Service Legislation must also be scrapped as soon as Labour comes to power. That commitment has been given but we will continue making the case and work with all colleagues to do so.  

These are the lessons not just for one season, not only for the past, but our present and future too.