Chelmsford TUC

The fact is that virtually all the measures that have improved our working lives came about as a result of campaigning both industrially and politically. Furthermore, the majority of these gains were obtained after years of vociferous opposition from many politicians and employers.

We owe thousands of former trade unionists a great debt of gratitude for their efforts, but perhaps the most important lesson we can learn from history is that nothing is safe from political change. Working conditions, liberty, freedom of association and many of our other gains can be taken away. Never forget the "Thatcher era" and the anti-union policies that yet remain under Labour.