This edited collection of essays was published in 2006 so as to commemorate the adoption of the Trade Disputes Act 1906. It does so by providing detailed historical analysis of the context in which this legislation was introduced, alongside discussion of the ways in which these statutory provisions have been applied and modified subsequently. The over-arching concern is that expressed by Jim Mortimer in the Foreward: ‘[t]he law in Britain on trade disputes is today more restrictive on trade unions than it was 100 years ago after the passing of the Trade Disputes Act 1906’ (p.viii).

The Right to Strike is an important study of the Trade Disputes Act, 1906. The Act was in full operation until the Thatcher era, other than in the world wars and the periods of the post General Strike Trade Union Act, 1927 (1927-46) and Ted Heath's Industrial Relations Act, 1971 (1971-74). A fresh study of this pillar of the British voluntaryist system of industrial relations is to be greatly welcomed. Much of the book is excellent.

In May 2007 Gregor Gall spoke on behalf of the Institute of Employment Rights, to the PCS public sector group annual conference in Brighton on the Trade Union Freedom Bill. Gregor kindly submitted this report on his presentation.

A Review by John Green

In March 2006 the Institute produced a Briefing on the proposed Trade Union Freedom Bill. We hope to produce more of these Briefings as the Bill progresses.

Trade Union Freedom Bill denied second reading

As regular vistors to the site will know, the Institute has played an important role in developing and promoting the Trade Union Freedom Bill. John Hendy, QC Chair of the Institute, worked closely with the TUC in drafting the Bill.