By any means necessary

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey made it clear from the very start of his moving speech that he was, “hereby giving this government due notice of my union’s intent to oppose, defy and using any means necessary defend the democratic rights and freedoms of all trade unionists and the working people of our nation.”

To applause throughout his contribution, Len made the cast iron case why the trade union Bill was an unprecedented attack on our human rights.

He said, “It beggars belief that in 2015 we should have to stand here today in order to defend our movement.”

Instead of recognising the role trade unions have played in the nation’s history, “this prime minister seeks to paint the millions of trade unionists and their families as ‘the enemy within.’

“Tories now drunk on class prejudice, intend to destroy this movement as a force in British life.”

We were now at a crossroad. “We can resist with perhaps the possibility of defeat; or we can capitulate with the certainty of oblivion.

“They are leaving no stone unturned in their effort to break our influence in the workplace, destroy our political involvement, deplete our funds and make any action we might take ineffective or illegal.

“They seek to reduce trade unions to no more than employment advice agencies, while turning our members – who dare to act – into criminals.”

Opportunity
Len told the conference however that we should see that this threat is also an opportunity.
Opposition to the Bill has come from far and wide – including some unexpected quarters.

“David Davis – a Tory who takes freedom seriously – has described parts of this Bill as more appropriate to a Franco dictatorship. Amnesty and Liberty have denounced its violation of human rights. Even the Financial Times editorial this morning has come out against it.”

Broad and united campaign
It all heralded the possibility “of a broad and united democratic campaign against this legislation is greater than ever before. Because it doesn’t just attack trade unions – it threatens freedom of speech. It menaces freedom of association –values which all British people cherish.

“That’s why when we debate the issue of strike thresholds we should move the argument onto our ground. Instead of quibbling over percentages, let’s use the language of democracy and modernisation.”

Len called on the government to “give us secure secret workplace balloting. End this archaic reliance on postal ballots – and turnout will never be a problem again.”

But, Len continued that “if this government’s reckless violation of international legal standards is passed it raises the thorny question of ‘must we always obey the law’?

“Our history and that of the world is littered with brave men and women who have defied bad laws and who fought and yes died to give us our heritage.

“And if that history tells us anything, it’s that when one section of society is segregated, asked to identity itself with labels and armbands and submit to a state-sponsored blacklist, the civil liberties of all of us are put at risk.”

To a standing ovation Len concluded, “Let’s find some courage amongst us now. Let’s be brave and overcome our doubts and fears. There is power in the union. Let’s make sure it stays that way.”