My pledge as a workers' MP for Chorley - Defend the Right to Strike

Chorley voters have been writing to me to ask that I pledge support for issues that are of particular concern to them. So that they are on the record for all voters, I am posting my response on some of the key issues here, on my blog:

As someone who has been a trade union activist and organiser all of my working life, I fully back the campaign to "Defend the right to strike" and, if elected, will demand the next Government repeals the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and other anti-union legislation.

Promoted by @strike_map & @ctufevents

The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 means employers have the ability to issue 'work notices', forcing workers to break their own strikes. This is the latest law in a long line of anti-union laws, which has left us with some of the most restrictive labour laws in Europe.

This pledge is fully in line with the core platform demand of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition to "Repeal the anti-trade union laws" and "defend the democratic right to strike".

Repeal of anti-trade union legislation is also one of the seven demands asked of candidates by Chorley TUC. As a trade unionist candidate, I obviously have no hesitation in backing the demands of Chorley trade unionists, and representing those views in Parliament. All seven of these pledges were already reflected in my campaign material and the national TUSC core manifesto. 

I also pledge that I would use my position as a workers' MP to campaign for these demands and to speak out in support of the trade union and community struggles that will be required to win them.

Martin Powell-Davies

Trade Unionist and Socialist Candidate for Chorley