As the coalition Government embarks on a programme of essential public sector cuts their greatest opponents remain the trade unions. Trade unions are threatening strikes and, if successful, they pose the greatest threat to frontline services, not spending cuts.
It is absurd that a Bill in the Commons tomorrow proposes reducing regulations on trade union balloting and notice requirements so that is it easier for trade unions to strike. If the bill is successful employers will now have to prove that the unions have “substantially” failed to comply with ballot and notice requirements for the strike to be illegal and “accidental” failures to comply will not be deemed unlawful.
This amendment would open the system to a huge number of potential abuses. Trade unions could “accidentally” not send strike ballots to members not likely to vote in favour of a strike or “accidentally” mail ballots to ex-members who will vote in their favour.
Furthermore it is unfair for employers to be denied the right to stop unions from forcing workers to strike when they have not voted to strike, even if the unions had made a mistake about who they are.
Industrial laws on balloting are presently slanted in favour of unions rather than employers because there is no minimum percentage turnout required for those balloted. Industrial action can take place even if only 1 per cent of those balloted actually vote, as long as a majority votes in favour.
With union membership heavily concentrated in the public sector, and the public sector already striking fifteen times more than the private sector, these amendments will make it easier for public sector unions to strike over the Government’s deficit reduction plans and threaten frontline services as a result.
That is unacceptable. Use this tool and write to your MP urging them to vote against this bill. The debate is tomorrow so send an e-mail as soon as possible if you want to avoid handing more power to the unions to threaten the delivery of frontline services and the delivery of essential spending cuts.