Page 62 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - Winter 20
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there was the possibility of these guns being all, who ministers the ministers? (Perhaps my
turned round against us – a possibility, which, greatest obstacle was always in trying to get
eventually, became a reality! hold of their boss!). But hey, what a great
bunch of characters to know and help.
The 70s were a very exciting time for the
British Trade Union Movement, especially Perhaps one of the more difficult areas of the
the growth of white-collar trade unionism. work was to represent and advocate on behalf
With a Labour Government in power, some of individual members at employment and
very positive trade union legislation was medical tribunals covering such areas as
developed in the arena of union recognition, unfair dismissals, sex and race
equality, health and safety and workers’ discrimination, industrial deafness and
rights. Much of this was promoted by the asbestosis from the workplace. As a
unions, and specifically my own. We were practitioner of employment law, this required
very influential, industrially and politically. an in-depth knowledge of employment
An essential element of my job was to liaise legislation, its presentation and advocacy.
with the politicians and ministers of the day, Although it commanded much time and
both locally and nationally, and to advise and effort, it gave me much satisfaction,
promote political, economic and welfare particularly if we won the case while,
issues on behalf of the members I understandably, I was less euphoric if we lost
represented. Relating to the latter, I covered a – though we rarely lost.
very wide portfolio, negotiating all aspects of Without doubt, the most difficult years for
employment contracts, including individual the British trade unions followed Margaret
grievances and disciplinary issues for Thatcher’s arrival on the scene. The history
managers, supervisors, scientists, of trade unions has never ever been an easy
professional and technical staff ranging from one, given the sheer opposition from
large multi-nationals to small charities. These financially well-resourced vested interests.
industries and organisations included petro- However, the Thatcher era was a different
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, the British Steel kettle of fish. She was quite determined to
Industry, engineering, electronics, the quell any opposition to her right-wing
National Health Service (professional and ideology, whether that be from local
technical), food and drink, university government or trade unions. Her
technicians and charities. However, perhaps government’s imposition of legislation
the most curious was my being requested to against the trade unions, and therefore the
represent and negotiate on behalf of our rights of workers, was an attempt at
Scottish Clergy Members Section. This castrating the Movement. The 1984 Miners’
consisted of Church of Scotland, Strike, in which I was heavily involved,
Episcopalian and Roman Catholic ministers epitomised the worst aspects of her regime.
and priests, as well as the odd rabbi (I mean Suffice it to say that the unions still exist
the occasional rabbi!). To this day, I still do today, but Maggie, she is long gone.
not understand why my Union insisted that I,
an atheist, should do this job. But then, after
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