SCOTTISH Labour delegates have threatened to participate in civil disobedience as part of efforts to scupper the Tory Trade Union Bill, saying they are ready to "go to Barlinnie" if necessary.
The proposed law currently making its way through the Commons, which would bring in a series of curbs on unions seeking to hold strikes, was condemned as “the most draconian attack on working people for 100 years” at the Perth conference.
It would impose measures including a minimum 50 per cent turnout in ballots before strikes could take place, double the amount of notice given to employers before workers can walk out force those on picket lines to identify themselves by wearing armbands.
Striking unions could also face restrictions on what they can write on social media.
A resolution, calling on the Scottish Government to state its clear intention to refuse to co-operate with the Bill, was passed overwhelmingly by delegates.
In a clear sign of the strength of opposition to the legislation, Gordon McKay, Unison Scotland Labour Link Chair, said he was willing to address next year’s conference via “video link in Barlinnie”, Scotland’s largest prison, if necessary.
He added that it would allow “strike-breakers and scabs” into industrial disputes and that forcing workers to wear armbands on picket lines was a measure designed “so employers know who to blacklist”.
Bill Butler, a former Labour MSP, current Glasgow councillor and his party’s Holyrood Candidate for Glasgow Anniesland, said the Bill’s purpose was to “neuter” the Trade Union movement.
He added: “It’s vindictive, ideologically extreme and completely unnecessary.
The purpose, of Cameron and his cronies, is to finish the job started by Thatcher. We must use all democratic means to kill the Bill stone dead... if it means I’ll join Gordon in Barlinnie then so be it.”
A female delegate added: "I'm not sure if Barlinnie takes women but I might be joining some of my colleagues."
The resolution endorsed the position of Labour-led councils which have stated they will refuse to comply with the Bill, and called on all local authorities to back the stance.
Earlier, delegates overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for the party to oppose the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the proposed trade deal between Europe and the United States, outright.
It agreed that the proposed deal, being negotiated “largely in secret”, will allow multi-national corporations to sue Government’s should their policies harm their profits.
Elaine Smith, the left wing MSP and convenor of the Campaign for Socialism, said it was fitting the topic was being discussed the day after Halloween as TTIP was “scary stuff.”
She added: “It’s a massive corporate power grab and a real threat to democracy.”
Another delegate hit out at “myths and nonsense” being spread about the deal, saying it could benefit working people.
However, his pleas were rejected by an overwhelming majority. A composite resolution was backed by 100 per cent of Trade Unionist voters and 82.2 per cent of constituency party activists.
The debates were held after delegates selected the topics to be discussed on the final day of the conference in a ballot on Friday, a measure designed to hand more powers to the grassroots under the leadership of Kezia Dugdale and her deputy, Alex Rowley.
The fourth topic, which was selected alongside Trident, TTIP and the Trade Union Bill, was housing.
The conference resolution attacked the “clear failure” of the Scottish Government to tackle the country’s housing crisis. It states Shelter Scotland figures showing there are 150,000 on social housing waiting lists, with more than one in ten of the country’s housing stock afflicted by dampness, condensation or both.
It called for a “radical programme to build more affordable and social rent homes...calls for a fair deal for for private sector tenants through rent controls and adequate housing standards with enforcement powers.”
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