Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1990, published 77th ILC session (1990)

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) - United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ratification: 1949)

The Committee notes the comments concerning the application of the Convention submitted by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on 21 December 1989 and 19 January 1990. These comments relate to: (i) trade union rights at Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ); (ii) the Government's alleged failure to adopt measures to extend legislative protection against common law liability and to reduce the current complexity of the law relating to industrial action; (iii) the further uncertainties which have been introduced by court decisions in relation to a proposed docks strike in May-July 1989; and (iv) proposed legislative changes relating to sympathy action and dismissals of strikers.

The communications of the TUC have been transmitted to the Government for its comments. The Committee will examine the issues raised by the TUC, in the light of the Government's observations, at its next session.