Firefighters in uniform plan to converge outside the Houses of Parliament today in protest at the proposed Trade Union Bill, which is being condemned as the most savage assault on the rights of working people in decades.
The firefighters, who will be travelling to London from all over the country, will join thousands of workers from other trade unions protesting at the Bill.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, said:
“We will campaign vigorously until this disgusting Bill is seen for what it is - the attempted removal of the rights of hard working people - and thrown out. When you look at exactly what government intends to impose – the intimidation of striking workers, the slashing of the union facilities time trade union reps need to represent workers, investigate accidents and other activities essential to protecting workers’ rights - this Bill is a blatant attack on those rights, won by previous generations who fought hard for them. For Tory politicians to want to wipe this all out in one swoop shows us what they really stand for - stamping on the efforts of hard working people to fight for fair pay and decent conditions. They want to introduce thresholds for balloting among ‘important public services’ that are over three times what they achieved (24%) at the last election. It’s naked hypocrisy. We are not standing for it.”
Commenting on the way evidence was gathered by the Trade Union Bill Committee in October, Wrack added:
“While five trade union leaders were squashed into one half hour slot between them to make their case against the Bill, the Tory supported group 2020 Health were given half an hour all to themselves. This demonstrates what a complete stitch-up the whole process has been.”
The firefighters will be assembled in Old Palace Yard at 12 noon on Monday for a photo call before going to Methodist Central Hall, Storeys Gate SW1 9NH for the TUC-organised rally. Press are invited to attend.
