Trade unions in the UK have long been under attack from employers and the state, including the whole range of laws that restrict our rights and abilities to operate freely and effectively. These legal restrictions are unjust. They reflect the fact that we live in an unequal society where the law favours employers and the rich.
But the attacks on trade unionists do not end with such open and public restrictions. There are also more subtle ways by which those in power seek to undermine and weaken our movement. These include spying on and infiltration of trade unions, the blacklisting and victimisation of trade unionists by employers and the police – often colluding with each other – as well as widespread bullying, stymying of promotions and other malpractices.
