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BIS Consultations on the Trade Union Bill_*
The government is consulting on various reforms it is seeking to
introduce as part of the Trade Union Bill. The TUC believe that taken
together these changes will significantly undermine the right to strike
in the UK. Our concern is that this will lead to poorer industrial
relations in the public and private sectors, which in turn will reduce
the quality of working life and productivity levels.
The government is running three consultations, all of which have a
closing date of *9^th September*. It would be helpful if members of
BUIRA could submit responses to the consultation raising concerned about
the impact of government’s proposals on industrial relations and working
conditions in the UK.
The BIS consultations cover the following issues:
·*Ballot thresholds:* The government will require 40% of those eligible
to vote to cast their ballots in favour of industrial action. The
threshold will apply to fire, health, education, transport, border
security and nuclear decommissioning services.
(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/tackling-intimidation-of-non-striking-workers
·*Hiring agency staff during strike action*: The government is proposing
to remove regulations which prohibit the use of agency workers during
strike action.
(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/hiring-agency-staff-during-strike-action-reforming-regulation)
·*Regulating pickets and protests*: The government propose to introduce
tighter restrictions on picketing activities near the workplace.The are
also consulting on new reporting requirements which will require trade
unions to publish details of any public protests (including their
planned use of Facebook and Twitter) 14 days in advance of any action
taking place.
(https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/ballot-thresholds-in-important-public-services)
*/Issues raised by the Trade Union Bill and the BIS consultation/*
It would be very helpful if BUIRA members could respond to the BIS
consultations raising concerns about the government’s proposals for
industrial relations in the UK and on collective bargaining
arrangements.The Bill is designed to restrict the ability of unions to
organise lawful industrial action.This will lead to a serious imbalance
of power within workplaces and will undermine existing collective
bargaining arrangements.As a result, the Bill will limit the ability of
unions to represent their members in the workplace and to improve pay
and working conditions for the wider workforce.
The TUC is also concerned that the measures in the Bill will prolong and
escalate disputes, making them more difficult to resolve swiftly and
amicably.The proposals are also likely to damage staff morale and
productivity levels, in particular where disputes remain unresolved or
not resolved to staff satisfaction.
The proposals set out in the Bill and in accompanying consultation
documents represent unnecessary, unjustified and disproportionate
restrictions on the right to strike as protected in international and
human rights standards.The new legal hurdles will mean it is far more
difficult for trade union members to organise collectively to protect
jobs, livelihoods and working conditions.The proposals for new
restrictions on picketing and protest activities by trade unions and
their members represent a significant attack on the civil liberties of
trade unions and their members.The new restrictions are also
discriminatory as they will only apply to unions and their members and
not to other sections of civil society.
It would be very helpful if BUIRA members were able to prepare responses
to the consultations.BIS has provided online response forms.If
individuals do not have time to complete a full submission then comments
submitted via a letter would also be of great assistance.
*/Further information/*
If you are considering a response to the government’s consultations and
would like to discuss your response with the TUC please contact Helen
Nadin ([log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>) who will be able to
advise on any issues you would like further information on.
GUIDELINES FOR REVIEWERS
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Professor Jane Holgate
Professor of Work and Employment Relations
Work and Employment Relations Division
Leeds University Business School
31 Lyddon Terrace (room 2.05)
University of Leeds LS2 9JT
email: [log in to unmask]
Mobile: 07960 798399
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