Labour and SNP councillors united in opposition to the Tory Trade Union bill at full council yesterday. There were good speeches from both sides of the floor in support of both workers and the wider role trade unions play in the democratic process and our communities.
I am proud that our council and others in Scotland will stand with Scottish Trade Unions in opposition to this vindictive and undemocratic bill. We are clear that existing industrial relations arrangements should be honoured and protected.
“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.
Council also
agrees to the Leader writing to the Scottish Government outlining the
position taken by North Ayrshire Council and urging them to do
whatever they can to support this approach across the public sector in
Scotland."
