Thirty years ago today (Saturday) people working in the
Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham were banned from
belonging to a union by the Thatcher government.
Commenting on the anniversary of the ban – which, following
extensive union campaigning, was overturned in 1997 – TUC General Secretary Frances
O’Grady said:
“Back in 1984 Margaret Thatcher decided it wasn’t possible
for someone to be in a union and be loyal to their country. GCHQ employees were
denied their basic rights and could no longer have the protection of a union at
work. Fourteen workers who refused to give up their union membership cards were
unceremoniously sacked.
“Years of union campaigning followed, with an annual march
taking place in the town every January. Thankfully the ban was consigned to
history almost as soon as Labour took office in 1997. But while the world has
moved on since the 1980s, attacks on unions and their ability to fight for
justice and fairness at work, are sadly still with us.
“Facility time – the time that union reps use to try to
solve problems at work and win improved conditions for their workmates – has
been severely curtailed across government departments following a decision
imposed by the Cabinet Office.
“Meanwhile the Lobbying Bill will force unions to reveal
the names of union members following any complaint from an employer and unions
will also have to appoint external auditors to look over their membership
lists. All of which is likely to compromise membership confidentiality, which
is protected in law.
“People who belong to unions had previously thought that
their membership details were a matter of private record between them and their
union. Now they are concerned that their details could soon be visible to a
range of third parties.”
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