The right to strike “is a fundamental human right” according to the new leader of the Liverpool Labour group.
Amid a wave of industrial action from sectors across the UK, including nurses, train staff, ambulance crews and bus drivers in the last 12 months, a motion has been laid before Liverpool Council by Cllr Liam Robinson, seeking local authority support for the right to campaign on employment rights. The Kensington and Fairfield member, who was elected leader of the Labour group on the city council in November, has secured a 20 minute debate on the subject when councillors meet at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday.
The motion text called upon members to acknowledge “ the vital work that Trade Unions play in countless workplaces across the city and beyond” and how “unionised workplaces deliver higher pay, better terms and conditions as well as stronger health and safety arrangements than non-unionised workplaces.” In the last week, nurses walked out at hospitals across the Liverpool City Region over pay and conditions. Industrial action was called off at 22 household waste sites throughout Merseyside earlier this month after workers secured an 18% pay deal with Veolia.
