A Global Day of Action has been called by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Workers’ Group at the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to defend people’s right to strike.

The Day of Action, taking place on 18 February 2015, sees trade unions, their members and working people engaging in public demonstrations, protests and social media campaigning to fight against employer groups who are challenging their right to strike.

The right to strike is seen as an intrinsic part of democracy, yet the Employers’ Group at the ILO is campaigning to have this right taken away and to prevent national courts from using ILO standards to make decisions on the legality of industrial action. In March 2015, the ILO Governing Body will come to a decision on the right to strike, with the dispute likely to be referred to the International Court of Justice.

Richard Arthur, national coordinator for trade union strategy at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “The right to strike is a fundamental part of a democratic society, yet employers’ groups are attempting to strip this right from working people.

“This comes at a time where job security is already unreasonably low and the use of zero-hours contracts unacceptably high. Workers’ rights are continually being eroded, and, without the right to strike, workers would have no opportunity to challenge their employers’ terms, no matter how unfair or unjust they may be.

“At Thompsons Solicitors, we work in partnership with trade unions and stand shoulder to shoulder with them to campaign for better workers’ rights and improved workplace conditions.

“On this Global Day of Action, we pledge our support to the ITUC and with it, people’s fundamental right to strike.”