THE Scottish TUC unanimously backed demands for the repeal of all anti-union laws and the introduction of a trade union freedom Bill on Monday afternoon.
Unite T&G assistant general secretary Len McLuskey noted that, after 11 years of a Labour government, "we have the most restrictive trade union laws in Europe.
"Not only was the government not helping, but they have been putting obstacles in the way of progress," he said, pointing out that "the agency workers directive was held up by our government in Europe."
He argued that there should be "no more fudge, no more delay" in repealing the anti-union laws and delivering a trade union freedom Bill to allow solidarity action.
"It's the very lifeblood of our movement, solidarity. It's what we do," Mr McLuskey said.
"Gordon Brown spoke about South African workers taking action to stop a shipment of arms from China reaching Zimbabwe," he observed.
"But British dockers couldn't take that same action because it would be illegal."
Supporting the resolution, RMT general secretary Bob Crow had congress laughing when he described Prime Minister Gordon Brown "marching up and down this platform like a Home Guard," in reference to the Prime Minister's fashionably unscripted speech earlier in the day.
He warned the hapless premier that "you can't win if you hammer workers. You can't win if you hammer pensioners. You can't win if you hammer the worst off in society by nicking money off them with this 10p tax scam."
Mr Crow raised an even bigger laugh when his RMT colleague Phil McGarry, presiding over congress, tried to point out the time alloted to speakers.
He urged the RMT leader: "Wind up, comrade," only for Mr Crow to respond: "Wind up? I am wound up!" before concluding: "The anti-trade union laws were opposed by Labour MPs in opposition and we should praise them for it. But it's time to take action now. Repeal them all and bring in a trade union freedom Bill."
Irvine and North Ayrshire Trades Union Council delegate Gordon Mackay agreed.
"It's time for the Labour government to treat unions and big business even-handedly - that's all we're asking for, a level playing field," he said.
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