A protest against Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps and the anti-strike law brought together key workers from various industries in the borough. 

Enough is Enough, a campaign to fight the cost of living crisis, organised the protest against Grant Shapps, which was held outside his office at Maynard House in Hatfield on Saturday, January 14.

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Around 50 teachers, railway workers, nurses, and other industry workers attended the protest regardless of the downpour on the day.  

Protesters took to the street to fight against the proposed anti-strike law that threatens to take away the right to strike to ensure a minimum service level, and could lead to striking staff being sacked.  Welwyn Hatfield Times: Around 50 picketers attended the protest against Grant Shapps and the proposed anti-strike law.Around 50 picketers attended the protest against Grant Shapps and the proposed anti-strike law. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Enough is Enough said: “The law targets frontline workers – from nurses and paramedics to firefighters and rail workers – threatening to take away their right to strike. 

“And if workers don’t accept its terms, they face the sack. 

“We say NO. Join the fightback. Take to the streets.” 

Picketer Andrew Osborne, from Unite Cambridge’s engineering branch, said at the protest: “This law will force key workers to go to work, which is ridiculous. This is turning into North Korea, and we won’t stand for this. 

“We have workers' rights, and we don’t give a c*** what Grant Shapps thinks so we are here outside his office making a point.” Welwyn Hatfield Times: JS Apolo Dionision with her right to strike poster on Saturday, January 14, 2023.JS Apolo Dionision with her right to strike poster on Saturday, January 14, 2023. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Throughout the demonstration, protesters chanted: “When workers' rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back,” and “first they clap us, then they sack us, enough is enough". 

A Network Rail employee who represented engineering workers at the protest said: “I am very aware of the impact this anti-strike bill has. If it passes, it might become impossible to support the industrial action. It is a massive tackle of democratic right. Welwyn Hatfield Times: The Network Rail employee who represented engineering workers at the protest The Network Rail employee who represented engineering workers at the protest (Image: Gopika Madhu)

“The Tories are introducing these laws because they can see that they might be defeated by workers, so they are trying to change the law to make it impossible for us take meaningful industrial action. Frontline workers have had enough.” 

When asked about the strikes held against him, Grant Shapps said: “The first job of any government is to keep the public safe.  

“While we absolutely believe in the ability to strike, we are also duty-bound to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British people.  Welwyn Hatfield Times: A retired key worker who came to show her support for the protestors.A retired key worker who came to show her support for the protestors. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

“Our bill will make sure that minimum safety levels are maintained during strike action, so that the public is still able to access those vital public services they need and that lives and livelihoods are not lost.  

“We do not want to have to use this legislation unless we have to, but we must ensure the safety of the British public.” 

Ypcoming strikes include University of Hertfordshire staff in Hatfield - who are a part of UCU, which is planning action for 18 days between February and March. 

This decision was made by the union’s higher education committee (HEC) which met on Thursday, January 12. Welwyn Hatfield Times: Young protestors who were eager to voice their opinion on the proposed anti-strike law.Young protestors who were eager to voice their opinion on the proposed anti-strike law. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

The committee agreed to re-ballot staff at all 150 universities to renew UCU's mandate and allow the union to call action well into 2023, including a marking and assessment boycott from April, unless the disputes are settled. 

UCU said “the clock is ticking” for university bosses to avoid widespread disruption this year. 

The union is hoping to receive a meaningful pay rise in order to deal with the cost-of-living crisis as well as action to end the use insecure contracts. 

The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), which represents university employers, made UCU a pay offer worth between 4 per cent and 5 per cent, on Wednesday, January 11.  

The general secretary, Jo Grady said the offer was 'not enough'.