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Justice ministry under fire for 'absurd' plan to end deduction of union dues Justice ministry under fire for ‘absurd’ plan to end deduction of union dues
(about 3 hours later)
Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, has been accused by Simon Hughes, his Liberal Democrat ministerial colleague, of “absurd” behaviour over plans to block staff in the Ministry of Justice from paying trade union subscriptions through their pay packets.Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, has been accused by Simon Hughes, his Liberal Democrat ministerial colleague, of “absurd” behaviour over plans to block staff in the Ministry of Justice from paying trade union subscriptions through their pay packets.
In an internal letter, leaked to the Guardian, Hughes warned Grayling that removing the “check-off facility” would send a “negative signal” about the government’s standpoint on longstanding trade union rights. In an internal letter, leaked to the Guardian, Hughes warned Grayling that removing the “check-off facility” would send a “negative signal” about the government’s position on longstanding trade union rights.
Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said the leaked letter showed that the Tories were determined to drive trade unionism out of the public sector.Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said the leaked letter showed that the Tories were determined to drive trade unionism out of the public sector.
The Tories came under fire after the justice secretary announced, in an internal MoJ note, that he would remove the check-off facility that allows staff to have their trade union subscription deducted from their monthly pay cheque. The Tories came under fire after the justice secretary announced, in an internal MoJ note, that he would remove the check-off facility that allows staff to have their union subscription deducted from their monthly pay.
Grayling, who is obliged under the terms of the coalition agreement to consult the Lib Dems, sent out the note days before the pre-election purdah kicks in with the formal dissolution of parliament on Monday. The government is not allowed to take any big – or politically sensitive – decisions during this period.Grayling, who is obliged under the terms of the coalition agreement to consult the Lib Dems, sent out the note days before the pre-election purdah kicks in with the formal dissolution of parliament on Monday. The government is not allowed to take any big – or politically sensitive – decisions during this period.
In the leaked letter, Hughes writes: “I am putting on record my objection to the proposed removal of the check-off facility currently given to trade unions for the collection of union dues from staff working across the Ministry of Justice and its agencies.In the leaked letter, Hughes writes: “I am putting on record my objection to the proposed removal of the check-off facility currently given to trade unions for the collection of union dues from staff working across the Ministry of Justice and its agencies.
“This longstanding and long-accepted arrangement exists for the convenience and benefit of employees and it is one that I believe should be defended. Employees benefit from the support, advice and representation afforded to them through their membership of trade unions and I believe that, as a responsible employer, government should do nothing to make it harder to exercise their right to membership of a union. While no doubt not the intention, I fear that this would be the reality of such a move.”“This longstanding and long-accepted arrangement exists for the convenience and benefit of employees and it is one that I believe should be defended. Employees benefit from the support, advice and representation afforded to them through their membership of trade unions and I believe that, as a responsible employer, government should do nothing to make it harder to exercise their right to membership of a union. While no doubt not the intention, I fear that this would be the reality of such a move.”
Hughes, who is minister for civil liberties, dismissed a claim by Grayling that the change was necessary in order for the MoJ to comply with trade union legislation introduced in the early 1990s. He told Grayling: “To argue that we need to remove the rights of employees in order to eliminate the risk of us being in breach of these legal obligations is, I hope you would agree, absurd.”Hughes, who is minister for civil liberties, dismissed a claim by Grayling that the change was necessary in order for the MoJ to comply with trade union legislation introduced in the early 1990s. He told Grayling: “To argue that we need to remove the rights of employees in order to eliminate the risk of us being in breach of these legal obligations is, I hope you would agree, absurd.”
O’Grady condemned the move. She said: “Conservatives in the coalition are trying to drive effective trade unionism out of the public sector, just as their manifesto ballot proposals will make almost every strike illegal. Lib Dem ministers deserve praise not just for their stance on defending check-off, but other measures to restrict unions and reduce rights at work. The Conservatives now look very isolated in their hostility to unions and hostility to workplace rights.”O’Grady condemned the move. She said: “Conservatives in the coalition are trying to drive effective trade unionism out of the public sector, just as their manifesto ballot proposals will make almost every strike illegal. Lib Dem ministers deserve praise not just for their stance on defending check-off, but other measures to restrict unions and reduce rights at work. The Conservatives now look very isolated in their hostility to unions and hostility to workplace rights.”
The TUC regards a check-off facility as a vital part of helping to foster trade unionism in the work place. O’Grady believes that the move by Grayling is the latest example of how the Tories want to make it as hard as possible for trade unionism to thrive in the public sector. The TUC regards a check-off facility as a vital part of helping to foster trade unionism in the workplace. O’Grady believes that the move by Grayling is the latest example of how the Tories want to make it as hard as possible for trade unionism to thrive in the public sector.
“There is a pattern here,” one TUC source said. “The Tories want to to make ballot limits so high that strikes are either impossible or illegal. This is going further than Thatcherism.”“There is a pattern here,” one TUC source said. “The Tories want to to make ballot limits so high that strikes are either impossible or illegal. This is going further than Thatcherism.”
Francis Maude, the cabinet office minister, said recently that eight government departments were set to end the check-off facility which had been set up when employees had fewer ways of paying trade union subscriptions. Under the terms of the coalition, secretaries of state are responsible for deciding whether to abolish the facility in their departments. But they are obliged to consult junior ministers from the other party. Francis Maude, the Cabinet Office minister, said recently that eight government departments were set to end the check-off facility which had been set up when employees had fewer ways of paying union subscriptions. Under the terms of the coalition, secretaries of state are responsible for deciding whether to abolish the facility in their departments. But they are obliged to consult junior ministers from the other party.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “In line with a number of other government departments, we are taking forward changes to how civil servants can pay their trade union subscriptions. We no longer think it is appropriate to act as an intermediary for these payments and have consulted with our trade unions on this matter.”