‘Affront to democracy’

The Tory trade union Bill will not only tie unions up in red tape, threaten fines and open them up to detailed investigations. It’ll cost ÂŁ7m a year for the first five years according to the government’s own figures published today (January 22).

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady accused ministers of being determined “to tie unions up in as much red tape as possible.” The total bill for the Bill includes estimated costs of ÂŁ11 million upfront plus another ÂŁ26m over five years.

Frances O’Grady said, “Today’s impact assessment lays bare the huge costs unions will face as a result of the trade union Bill. Union members’ subs should be spent on services and support for workers – not wasted on dealing with unnecessary bureaucracy from the government.

“We believe the government has underestimated the true financial impact this Bill could have for unions.

“However, even by its own estimates unions and their members are set to be hit with a stonking upfront bill of over £11m, followed by £26m more over the next five years.
Most regulated

“UK trade unions are already the most heavily regulated in Western Europe. This Bill is a blatant attempt to make it harder for workers to stand up for decent services and safety at work, or defend their jobs and pay.”

Unite political director Jennie Formby said, “The trade union Bill is a highly partisan attempt to muzzle unions and allow government a free ride on the next round of cuts and pay freezes in the public sector. This Bill is the latest round of trying to put the lid on campaigning opposition to more years of austerity.

They are trying to tie unions up in red tape and hit them with a huge bill. In addition they are trying to weaken the financial links with the Labour Party, while keeping their own funding streams secure.
“An attack on workers and their unions has been linked to an attack on democracy itself. They are openly trying to destroy and undermine the opposition party and its union supporters, it is an affront to democracy.”
Challenge

And Labour’s Carwyn Jones, Wales First Minister said he is willing to confront the UK government in the courts, by introducing a separate law to overturn any section of the bill that impacts on devolved public services.

He told the Welsh Assembly: “If it comes to the point where that bill is passed, and its provisions are applied to devolved public services, we will seek to introduce a bill in this chamber to overturn the sections of the bill that impact on devolved areas.

“It’s a matter for the UK government if they then want to go to the Supreme Court in order to frustrate the will of this democratically elected assembly.”