This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-33529248
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Trades Union Bill: MPs to debate strike law reforms | Trades Union Bill: MPs to debate strike law reforms |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Legislation designed to toughen up the laws on strike action is to be debated by MPs for the first time on Wednesday. | Legislation designed to toughen up the laws on strike action is to be debated by MPs for the first time on Wednesday. |
| The Trades Union Bill proposes minimum turnouts in strike ballots, time limits on mandates for industrial action and changes to political levies. | The Trades Union Bill proposes minimum turnouts in strike ballots, time limits on mandates for industrial action and changes to political levies. |
| The government says this will balance the right to strike with the rights of working people and businesses. | The government says this will balance the right to strike with the rights of working people and businesses. |
| However, unions have criticised the move, saying the changes will make legal strikes close to impossible. | However, unions have criticised the move, saying the changes will make legal strikes close to impossible. |
| The House of Commons will discuss the general aims and principles of the bill - a stage known as "second reading" - on Wednesday afternoon. | The House of Commons will discuss the general aims and principles of the bill - a stage known as "second reading" - on Wednesday afternoon. |
| Minimum turnout | Minimum turnout |
| The Conservatives made a manifesto commitment to reform UK strike laws, with legislation announced in the post-election Queen's Speech in May. The party had wanted to introduce the reforms during the coalition government but the move was blocked by the Lib Dems. | |
| A strike can take place under the current law if it is backed by a simple majority of the union members voting, regardless of turnout. | |
| Under the bill, a strike affecting "core" public services - such as health, transport, fire services or schools - would need the support of 40% of eligible union members to go ahead. | Under the bill, a strike affecting "core" public services - such as health, transport, fire services or schools - would need the support of 40% of eligible union members to go ahead. |
| There would also be a minimum 50% turnout for strike ballots to be valid, and time limits on a mandate for industrial action following a ballot. | There would also be a minimum 50% turnout for strike ballots to be valid, and time limits on a mandate for industrial action following a ballot. |
| Other measures are likely to see the removal of current restrictions on using agency workers to cover for strikers, and efforts to tackle "intimidation" of non-striking workers. | Other measures are likely to see the removal of current restrictions on using agency workers to cover for strikers, and efforts to tackle "intimidation" of non-striking workers. |
| In numbers | |
| Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Trade unions have a constructive role to play in representing their members' interests but our one nation government will balance their rights with those of working people and business. | Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Trade unions have a constructive role to play in representing their members' interests but our one nation government will balance their rights with those of working people and business. |
| "These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when a clear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all other possibilities have been explored." | "These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when a clear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all other possibilities have been explored." |
| Also under the changes, union members will have to "opt in" if they want to pay a political levy as part of their fees, rather than having to opt out, which will hit Labour funding. | |
| Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman has said changes to party funding "must be on a fair, cross-party basis, not just rigged in favour of the Tory party". | Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman has said changes to party funding "must be on a fair, cross-party basis, not just rigged in favour of the Tory party". |
| 'Ready to fight' | 'Ready to fight' |
| The government's proposals have been criticised by unions, with TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady saying the bill "is a slippery slope towards worse rights for all". | The government's proposals have been criticised by unions, with TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady saying the bill "is a slippery slope towards worse rights for all". |
| Ms O'Grady said the changes would enable employers to "stick two fingers up" to workers by bringing in agency staff to break any strikes. | Ms O'Grady said the changes would enable employers to "stick two fingers up" to workers by bringing in agency staff to break any strikes. |
| Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, said the move "smacks of Germany in the 1930s" and accused the government of trying to "neuter the unions". | Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, said the move "smacks of Germany in the 1930s" and accused the government of trying to "neuter the unions". |
| Meanwhile, Unite - UK's biggest trade union - has deleted the words "so far as may be lawful" from its constitution. | Meanwhile, Unite - UK's biggest trade union - has deleted the words "so far as may be lawful" from its constitution. |
| General secretary Len McCluskey said: "Unite is not going to see itself rendered toothless by passively submitting to unjust laws. If the Tories wish to put trade unionism beyond the law, then they must take the consequences. | General secretary Len McCluskey said: "Unite is not going to see itself rendered toothless by passively submitting to unjust laws. If the Tories wish to put trade unionism beyond the law, then they must take the consequences. |
| "We are ready for the fight, and we will, I believe, find allies throughout society, amongst everyone who cares for freedom and democracy." | "We are ready for the fight, and we will, I believe, find allies throughout society, amongst everyone who cares for freedom and democracy." |
| Endorsing the introduction of strike ballot thresholds, CBI director general Katja Hall said it was "an important, but fair, step to ensure that strikes have the clear support of the workforce". | Endorsing the introduction of strike ballot thresholds, CBI director general Katja Hall said it was "an important, but fair, step to ensure that strikes have the clear support of the workforce". |
| Dr Adam Marshall, policy and external affairs executive director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said the right to strike "must be exercised with the greatest restraint". | Dr Adam Marshall, policy and external affairs executive director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said the right to strike "must be exercised with the greatest restraint". |
| "Businesses will see this as a sensible piece of legislation that carefully balances the rights of those wishing to withhold their labour, against the rights of those who rely on access to essential services," he said. | "Businesses will see this as a sensible piece of legislation that carefully balances the rights of those wishing to withhold their labour, against the rights of those who rely on access to essential services," he said. |
| Consultations on the 40% strike ballot threshold for key public sectors, picketing rules, and use of agency workers will be open until September. | Consultations on the 40% strike ballot threshold for key public sectors, picketing rules, and use of agency workers will be open until September. |