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March and rally to mark 40th anniversary of trade union ban at GCHQ: Cheltenham Saturday 27 January

Dave Penman
Trade unions from around the country will attend a march and rally in Cheltenham on 27 January to mark the 40th anniversary of the ban on union membership at GCHQ. General Secretary Dave Penman writes about why the ban was so significant for the FDA, and why it is relevant once again.
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On the 25 January 1984 the Conservative government announced that civil servants working in Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) would be banned from being members of trade unions. All GCHQ workers were ordered to leave their trade unions by 1 March 1984 and receive £1,000 (less tax) or face dismissal. Access to industrial tribunals was also banned. 130 GCHQ workers refused to sign away their union rights but the last 14 workers who were still holding out were not dismissed by the government until early 1989.

All of the civil service unions were involved at GCHQ. We told the story of Mike King, FDA branch secretary, who refused to give up his membership as part of our Centenary publication.

The TUC and civil service unions continued to fight the ban through the courts and International Labour Organisation. Annual marches were held at Cheltenham and at Hawklaw in Fife, a GCHQ listening station, until its closure.

There was serious concern that the ban may be extended, including to the Senior Civil Service. The campaign was therefore seen as vital not only for the GCHQ staff, but to demonstrate the level of opposition and avoid further bans across government.

The ban was overturned on the 13 May 1997 by the incoming Labour government and an agreement was reached for PCS to be the sole recognised union.

Since then, the FDA has gone on to secure agreements with the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) and the Security Service (MI5) to provide advice, support and guidance.

To commemorate forty years since the ban, PCS, supported by the TUC, have organised a march and rally in Cheltenham on Saturday 27 January.

The issue of attacks on the rights of trade union members is once again at the forefront of the TUC’s work, following the passing of Minimum Service Levels legislation, restricting the rights of trade union members to take strike action.

The march therefore is not only commemorating the announcement of the ban and the successful campaign to overturn it, but also highlighting that the democratic rights of trade union members are once again under attack.

Timings and location

12pm – gather at Montpellier Gardens in Cheltenham
12:30 – march departs through town centre to Pittville Park (approximately 1 hour walk)
13:30 – rally in Pittville Park

If you are attending the march, you will be able to find FDA colleagues in section M. Please note it will be easier to join the march from the rear.

Further information can be found on the TUC website.

Members wishing to attend the march and rally will have received details on how to register their interest in the all member communication sent on Thursday 11 January. If members have not received this or are looking for further information, they can email info@fda.org.uk. 

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