The Workers of England Union opposes the Trade Union Bill 2015

The Workers of England Union opposes the Trade Union Bill 2015. We support the words of Jeremy Corbyn when he stated that ‘he believed the Government was attacking working people’ by introducing this Bill. It is also worth noting that some Conservative MP’s such as David Davis have called elements of the bill as being ‘something out of Franco’s dictatorship in Spain’.

Quickly detailing the Bills proposals

Under current rules, strikes can be called if the majority of those taking part in a ballot vote in favour. The government wants to changes this and impose a minimum 50% turnout in strike ballots – with public sector strikes also requiring the backing of at least 40% of those eligible to vote.

The bill will also:
• Double the amount of notice unions have to give before a strike can be held – from seven to 14 days
• Allow employers to use agency workers to replace striking staff
• Introduce fines of up to £20,000 on unions if pickets do not wear an official armband
• End the so-called check-off system for collecting union subs direct from a salary
Please read the following article for a more in-depth review.

Regards
Campaign Team for the WEU – Campaigning on your behalf

Trade Union Bill: Commons to debate government plans

Trade Union Protest
Image copyright EPA Image caption Unions have said they will fight the government “tooth and nail”
Plans to tighten rules on trade union strike ballots in Britain are to be debated in Parliament for the first time later – amid warnings of industrial and legal action.
The government’s Trade Union Bill proposes curbs on picketing and higher voting thresholds for ballots.
Unions say the bill is a threat to workers’ right to strike, with leaders vowing to fight it “tooth and nail”.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said it will stop “endless” threats of action.
The bill will receive its second reading in the Commons later, giving MPs – including new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – their first chance to debate the proposals.
Mr Corbyn accused the government of “attacking working people”.
The government wants to impose a minimum 50% turnout in strike ballots – with public sector strikes also requiring the backing of at least 40% of those eligible to vote.
Under current rules, strikes can be called if the majority of those taking part in a ballot vote in favour.
The bill will also:
• Double the amount of notice unions have to give before a strike can be held – from seven to 14 days
• Allow employers to use agency workers to replace striking staff
• Introduce fines of up to £20,000 on unions if pickets do not wear an official armband
• End the so-called check-off system for collecting union subs direct from a salary
The proposals would apply to unions in England, Wales and Scotland.

Working Days

‘Criminalising’ picketing
TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, will tell the annual TUC Congress in Brighton later that the bill is the biggest attack on unions in 30 years.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms O’Grady said the bill threatened “the very principle of the right to strike” and will allow employers to “bus in agency workers to break a strike”.
“I think Acas [Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service] has certainly pointed out the danger that if you suppress that right for people who feel they are being unfairly treated at work to democratically take strike action, then people will find other ways to express that discontent,” she said.
“The point about that is that in the end it makes it much harder for employers and unions to get around the table and come up with a fair settlement, which is what we should all want to see.”
GMB general secretary Sir Paul Kenny said he would be prepared to go to prison if measures such as fining pickets for not wearing an arm band become law.
Meanwhile, Unison leader Dave Prentis said he was prepared to fight the bill “tooth and nail”.
He said Unison would withdraw from partnership working in the NHS if the bill became law, a move he said would affect talks on issues such as equal pay.
“We would then take legal cases rather than reach agreements,” he added.
‘A fascist dictatorship’
The Commons debate comes after Tory MP David Davis – while backing the majority of the bill – said elements of it were like something out of Franco’s dictatorship in Spain.
Labour’s new leader Mr Corbyn said the bill will make it harder for workers “to take strike action to defend their jobs, pay and pensions”.
Writing in the Daily Mirror, he said: “Britain already has the most restrictive trade union laws in western Europe, and senior Conservatives have likened this new legislation to something from a fascist dictatorship.
“There is a choice – there is always a choice – and this government is yet again making the wrong ones.”
Image copyright AP Image caption London Underground workers have held a series of strikes in recent weeks

London Underground
New shadow chancellor John McDonnell told trade union members on Sunday night that Labour would unanimously oppose the bill.
He pledged to support union demonstrations and protests, saying: “We will be with you at every stage.”
However, the government said under current laws, industrial action at ongoing disputes on London Underground and First Great Western could carry on for years.
Mr Javid said trade unions play “an important role”, but added: “When working people’s lives are being disrupted by strike action, it is only fair that this happens as a result of a contemporary mandate that is supported by the majority of trade union members.”
Employment minister Nick Boles added: “These modernising reforms will ensure strikes will only happen as a result of a clear, positive and recent decision by those entitled to vote.”



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