Johnson: No return to the 1970s
Alan Johnson today took a hard line against union attempts to reintroduce the right of secondary picketing by vowing not to return to the industrial action of the 1970s.
The trade and industry secretary told the annual conference in Brighton there had been “an extraordinary transformation” in workers’ rights since Labour came to power.
The minimum wage, maternity and paternity leave were just some of the measures Labour had introduced to improve the lives of workers, he said.
And he insisted the government still regarded unions as a “vital and respected part of our democratic process”, saying Labour had changed their way of working “dramatically, fundamentally – perhaps irreversibly”.
But Mr Johnson refused to match European countries on workers’ rights, and with it pre-emptively rejected attempts by British trade unions to reintroduce secondary action.
“In our quest for full and fulfilling employment, we realised that we could not go through the 80s and 90s only to emerge in the 70s,” Mr Johnson said.
“Back then, this party supported secondary action and opposed the minimum wage. Now it’s the other way round and that’s how it needs to stay.”
He added: “Let’s recognise that we still have ‘miles to go before we sleep’ – but that journey must be in the direction we set three election victories ago.”
The T&G union has put a motion to conference calling for the law to be changed to permit supportive action where there is a close connection between those involved.
And today general secretary Tony Woodley told delegates the recent Gate Gourmet dispute at Heathrow was exactly the instance when solidarity action was needed.
“What is this movement about if it is not about solidarity with those least able to help themselves? Will we walk by on the other side when staff are sacrificed by management for a better deal? Never, never, never,” he said.
Mr Woodley insisted the Labour party must change, saying it could not be party of employers and of employees.
“We need to send a message loud and clear to our supporters – this is the Labour party, built to protect the weak the vulnerable,” he said.
