Marking 40 years since the ban on trade union rights at GCHQ & the union fightback

Forty years ago Margaret Thatcher’s government announced its decision to impose a total ban on trade union membership at Government Communication Headquarters, (GCHQ). Staff were ordered to resign their membership or face dismissal – 14 refused to do so and were sacked. For more than 13 years, a small group of GCHQ staff and unions campaigned for the right to belong to a union, which was restored in 1997.

This event will remember the historic campaign, consider the importance of trade union rights today and the current attacks by the Tory government on workers’ rights.

Speakers:

Martin Cavanagh, PCS national deputy president

Cllr James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council

Kate Haigh, former activist in GCHQ campaign

Liz Blackshaw, TUC regional secretary

Gaz Jackson, RMT regional organiser

Chair, Jane Aitchison, Leeds TUC president