THE Tory onslaught with the anti-Trade Union Bill is another reminder of the struggles throughout history.

The victimisation of individuals to break the trade union movement has never ceased, whether it has taken the form of the transportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs in 1834 or the attacks on workers during the industrial revolution.

Workers have struggled throughout history.

Nothing has ever been given to us — everything has been fought for against a backdrop of intimidation, from Winston Churchill letting loose the troops to fire on the miners at Tonypandy in 1910 to the anti-trade union laws of Thatcher in the 1980s.

We now have another struggle on our hands with Cameron and his bullies introducing more obstacles via the state on behalf of employers to keep workers from forming protests against cuts and the eradication of pay and terms and conditions.

History tells you though that with determination and solidarity David can beat Goliath.

Trade unions have learned over the decades that individually we are weak but united and together we can win.

Solidarity is our secret weapon.

It stands to reason an individual worker is powerless to fight themselves but collective solidarity is something that over the years has demonstrated where there is a will workers united can and will win better pay and conditions against exploitative employers and governments.

History cannot be changed but with solidarity and togetherness we can shape the future for our children and grandchildren so that they can have better futures.

We owe it to those who made sacrifices before us to continue the fight for justice.

Trade unions are a force for good but often portrayed as the enemy.

It is about time that we controlled the narrative and organised with local communities and demonstrated the value of trade unions. Together we can defeat the new proposed anti-union laws.

There is no need for despair, we must see this as a new challenge and obstacle to get over.

These new proposals from this uncaring government may just be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Workers may just unite if the bar is set too high for them to protect themselves against uncaring employers.

History tells us that when people have their backs against the wall they might just come out fighting.

Perhaps the Tories have an air of confidence with winning the election and want to stamp their authority and put workers in their place in this class society that they are creating so rapidly.

The Tories put my union, the POA, outside trade union legislation in 1994 by making it illegal and a criminal offence for us to take any form of industrial action.

You can only rule by fear for so long and as my union has demonstrated if the issue is important then workers united will act against those restrictions in order to get treated fairly at work.

The POA has demonstrated on numerous occasions by defying this outrageous legislation that we will take action irrespective of what the law states.

We would rather have acted within the law but the government made the decision to isolate us and put us out in the wilderness, leaving us no other option.

This new union-bashing might come back to haunt this government in the future as this will not break the back of the trade union movement — it will make us stronger and more resilient.

What will the government’s response be if they push that hard that collectively every union in the country resisted the new balloting thresholds that are being proposed?

I am amazed that this government sees the union movement as the problem instead of being part of the solution to the problems that are faced in this country.

Most employers view trade union membership as a good thing and want harmony in the workplace, which unions on the whole aspire to.

The unnecessary attack on political funds is vindictive and unjust.

If a union affiliated to the Labour Party wishes to fund that party then as far as I am concerned that is totally legitimate, with the money actually being the cleanest in politics.

By insisting that members of unions have to opt in instead of opting out is just ridiculous and a callous attempt to undermine funding of the Labour Party.

Incidentally the POA does have a political fund. We are not affiliated to the Labour Party but we legitimately use that fund for our political aims and objectives to protect our members’ health and safety at work and campaign with all political parties.

On the issue of funding I wonder if customers of certain supermarkets can have a say when large donations are handed over to the Tories to fund them.

Perhaps next time we should all ask for a refund on our shopping bills as we are not in favour of funding the Tory Party indirectly.

The People’s Assembly had 250,000 people on the streets protesting on June 20 2015.

I do believe that figure will get people motivated and ensure the TUC demonstration at the Tory conference in Manchester alongside community groups and trade unions will attract a large attendance.

If we fight against injustice we might just win, if we don’t fight we will surely lose and we will be letting down the Topluddle Martyrs and future generations.

There is every reason for optimism. We should unite, show determination and demonstrate that the banners that display such slogans as “United We Stand, Divided We Fall” mean something.

Together we can win. Solidarity is the workers’ secret weapon!

On behalf of the POA I wish all brothers and sisters a successful weekend in the celebration of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival. I have a feeling we are all going to have to demonstrate the strength of the Martyrs in the coming months and years.

• Steve Gillan is general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association.