Received from: FBU
Congress notes that the increasingly authoritarian legislation introduced by the Conservative government poses a threat to the UK’s democracy, and our fundamental civil and human rights.
Congress believes that the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is a huge attack on the right to protest effectively, while the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill licences undercover operatives from state agencies to commit criminal offences in the course of their deployment.
Congress believes that the UK already has some of the most restrictive anti-trade union laws in Europe. Undercover police officers are known to have infiltrated trade unions and legitimate environmental, socialist and anti-racist organisations, and deceived women into sexual relationships. Considerable concern has been raised about the policing of recent demonstrations against racism and violence against women.
Congress believes that many of our rights were won through strikes and protests. The ruling classes have a long history of attacking democracy, from the Peterloo massacre to the deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, against Suffragettes campaigning for the vote for women to the 1984–85 miners’ strike. Unions must defend democratic freedoms and our right to organise.
Congress resolves to:
i. campaign against the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill and the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill
ii. oppose and actively campaign against any attempts to scrap or curb the Human Rights Act
iii. campaign for the repeal of all anti-trade union laws and for the positive legal rights for workers to take action.
Fire Brigades Union
Amendment
Insert new paragraph 3:
“Congress notes that many MPs and civil society groups have raised concerns
about the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill being rushed through
without proper scrutiny, despite being widely seen as harmful to democracy
and human rights.”
In the final paragraph, insert new sub-paragraph ii. and renumber subsequent
sub-paragraphs:
“ii. campaign with civil society groups against the Police, Crime, Sentencing
and Courts Bill”
UNISON