Mobilise for May Day!

May Day 2006, march for workplace justice - Support the campaign for a Trade Union Freedom Bill

UK unions enjoy weaker legal protection now than 100 years ago. This is why NATFHE is proudly supporting this year’s May Day March for Workplace justice. All NATFHE members are being encouraged to march alongside the TUC and other unions on May 1 2006 to mark the launch of the campaign for a Trade Union Freedom (TUF) bill.

The UK has some of the most restrictive trade union laws in Europe. They contravene the UK’s international obligations under ILO Conventions, the Social Charter of the Council of Europe and United Nations declarations and covenants. The TUF bill aims to modernise trade union law to reflect the needs of workers in the 21st century.

This is the first time in recent years that London’s May Day march has been organised on such a large scale, with the full weight of the TUC behind it and forming part of a major campaign for workplace justice. It promises to be a really exciting and historic event, so if you can spare the time, head down to London for May 1 2006.

Full details of the event are on the May Day March for Workplace Justice website. You can download posters, leaflets, and press releases for publicising the event.

Please download and distribute these leaflets and posters as widely as possible within your Branches.

The march will assemble at 12 Noon at Clerkenwell Green, near Farringdon Tube Station with a major rally taking place at 2.30pm in Trafalgar Square.

AUT and NATFHE members are asked to congregate at a joint meeting point which will be outside the Crown Tavern, in Clerkenwell Green. Remember to bring your banners for what will probably be their last outing!

If you are coming from outside London, you may be able to book a place on a coach. These have been laid on by the Transport and General Workers’ Union from several locations. Check here for more details.

As part of the campaign, an Early day Motion has been laid down by Tony Lloyd MP. As we know from our own campaign, these are a really effective way of showing political support and already well over 100 MPs have signed up. Is your MP one of them? You can check by using the May Day March for Workplace Justice website.

If your MP has not signed, please write to them and ask them to do so.