Labour councils in Scotland are showing the way by setting out clearly why the Trade Union Bill is not wanted here.
This is the Renfrewshire Motion for Council Meeting 24 September 2015
“Council notes the Conservative Government are proposing a Trade Union Bill that will restrict the ability of this council to engage in good industrial relations practices with our workforce and their representatives. Council believes the collection of union dues through the check-off arrangement, from which the council receives income, is part of our collective and contractual arrangements with the trades unions and one which we will defend and support. Council commits not to use agency staff to break or weaken industrial action and to continue to support arrangements that afford trade union representatives sufficient resources to enable them to carry out their functions to ensure the continuation of good industrial relations. The Leader of the Council commits to writing to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stating council’s opposition to this Bill and our resolve not to co-operate with any attacks on facility time or check off and to write to the First Minister calling on the Scottish Government to stand with Renfrewshire and other local authorities in opposing the proposals in this Bill.”
In similar vein, this is the City of Glasgow Council motion.
"Council stands united with organised labour in opposing the UK Government's planned changes to Trade Union legislation; specifically the introduction of ballot turnout thresholds on all strike ballots, use of agency workers to replace striking staff, criminalisation of striking workers on the picket line and the proposal to place demands upon unions to publish their plans; believes that the changes are a politically motivated attack on the rights of working people and their fundamental right to withdraw their labour; is deeply concerned about the potentially damaging impact the proposals will have on workers, employers and Trade Unions in Glasgow and across the UK; believes that the Trade Union movement has been at the forefront of progressive social change, in securing both improved employment rights and in tackling poverty and inequality; and resolves to work with the Scottish Trade Union Congress and individual unions to stand up for the rights of workers."
Labour in Wales has also shown how devolved administrations can take a stand against the Bill by insisting on legislative consent. In a statement First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
"Initial correspondence received from UK Government Ministers asserts that the Bill relates to a non-devolved matter and no Legislative Consent Motion is required in the National Assembly for Wales. It is clear, however, that significant elements of the Bill relate specifically to public services which in Wales are unambiguously devolved responsibilities. I therefore do not accept the suggestion that the Bill must be regarded as concerned exclusively with non-devolved issues."
Scottish Labour Leader, Kezia Dugdale, made similar points in the Scottish Parliament and reiterated her position at a meeting with STULP on Friday.
The new UK Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has also been unequivocal in his opposition to the Bill.
This is the Renfrewshire Motion for Council Meeting 24 September 2015
“Council notes the Conservative Government are proposing a Trade Union Bill that will restrict the ability of this council to engage in good industrial relations practices with our workforce and their representatives. Council believes the collection of union dues through the check-off arrangement, from which the council receives income, is part of our collective and contractual arrangements with the trades unions and one which we will defend and support. Council commits not to use agency staff to break or weaken industrial action and to continue to support arrangements that afford trade union representatives sufficient resources to enable them to carry out their functions to ensure the continuation of good industrial relations. The Leader of the Council commits to writing to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stating council’s opposition to this Bill and our resolve not to co-operate with any attacks on facility time or check off and to write to the First Minister calling on the Scottish Government to stand with Renfrewshire and other local authorities in opposing the proposals in this Bill.”
In similar vein, this is the City of Glasgow Council motion.
"Council stands united with organised labour in opposing the UK Government's planned changes to Trade Union legislation; specifically the introduction of ballot turnout thresholds on all strike ballots, use of agency workers to replace striking staff, criminalisation of striking workers on the picket line and the proposal to place demands upon unions to publish their plans; believes that the changes are a politically motivated attack on the rights of working people and their fundamental right to withdraw their labour; is deeply concerned about the potentially damaging impact the proposals will have on workers, employers and Trade Unions in Glasgow and across the UK; believes that the Trade Union movement has been at the forefront of progressive social change, in securing both improved employment rights and in tackling poverty and inequality; and resolves to work with the Scottish Trade Union Congress and individual unions to stand up for the rights of workers."
Labour in Wales has also shown how devolved administrations can take a stand against the Bill by insisting on legislative consent. In a statement First Minister Carwyn Jones said:
"Initial correspondence received from UK Government Ministers asserts that the Bill relates to a non-devolved matter and no Legislative Consent Motion is required in the National Assembly for Wales. It is clear, however, that significant elements of the Bill relate specifically to public services which in Wales are unambiguously devolved responsibilities. I therefore do not accept the suggestion that the Bill must be regarded as concerned exclusively with non-devolved issues."
Scottish Labour Leader, Kezia Dugdale, made similar points in the Scottish Parliament and reiterated her position at a meeting with STULP on Friday.
The new UK Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has also been unequivocal in his opposition to the Bill.
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