Dozens of key trade unionists have expressed their “dismay” at delays to key parts of the Employment Rights Bill.
The Bill has passed its third reading, and is now with the Lords.
However, the government has stated that turnout thresholds introduced by the 2016 Trade Union Act will remain in place until after it has conducted a review into electronic balloting.
These thresholds mean that, in order for a strike ballot to be valid, 50% of workers must vote. No other election – for local or national government, or for internal party elections – requires a threshold.
The threshold is one of the key blockages in workers taking strike action to defend pay and public services. Labour had previously promised to ditch it within 100 days of taking office.
The statement, signed by trade union leaders representing teachers, firefighters, post-16 education staff, civil servants, food workers, and public sector workers, argues that the restrictions “are an arbitrary and grossly undemocratic curb on workers’ rights.”
It continues: “It is pro-boss legislation, vindictively implemented by the Conservatives nearly a decade ago. It has made the battle for fairness at work much harder.
“We welcome the positive changes in the Employment Rights Bill, but we urge MPs to demand the immediate removal of turnout thresholds. And we call on all unions to discuss action to win such change.”
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
It's outrageous that the government has delayed the repeal of a law that severely limits the rights of workers to stand up for their living standards and the services they run.
Labour was elected on a clear pledge to swiftly scrap this pernicious and undemocratic legislation introduced by the Tories.
There is no excuse whatsoever for postponing the delivery of that plan.
Keir Starmer must give a firm assurance that all parts of the 2016 Trade Union Act will be immediately repealed when the Employment Rights Bill becomes law.
A failure to do so will spark fears that Starmer intends to use Tory anti-union laws against workers going on strike over the government's planned cuts.
The Fire Brigades Union will fiercely oppose any attempts to retain this Tory legislation and use it against working people."
FULL STATEMENT:
As trade unionists committed to justice at work, we are dismayed that the latest version of the government’s Employment Rights Bill has again delayed the removal of turnout thresholds for strike ballots.
These restrictions are an arbitrary and grossly undemocratic curb on workers’ rights. MPs don’t have to hit a turnout threshold to be elected. Why should trade unionists have to surmount such obstacles?
It is pro-boss legislation, vindictively implemented by the Conservatives nearly a decade ago. It has made the battle for fairness at work much harder.
Soon after the general election, Labour confirmed its promise to ditch the 2016 act that imposes thresholds withing 100 days of taking office. Now we learn that according to the Trades Union Congress, “The government will delay the repeal of the Tory measure that requires a 50 percent turnout for a strike law to be valid until after it has introduced electronic balloting.”
How long will that take? We support electronic balloting and other measures to widen participation and engagement. But the thresholds should go now.
We welcome the positive changes in the Employment Rights Bill, but we urge MPs to demand the immediate removal of turnout thresholds. And we call on all unions to discuss action to win such change.
A chance to discuss this issue for trade unionists and others comes at the Summit of Resistance in London on 29 March. We hope that the vital question of unshackling the unions and workers fighting for justice will be an important part of this meeting.
Signed by:
Daniel Kebede, NEU General Secretary
Steve Wright, FBU General Secretary
Jo Grady, UCU General Secretary
Sarah Woolley, BFAWU General Secretary
Gawain Little, GTFU General Secretary
Ian Murray, FBU President
Sarah Kilpatrick, NEU President
Ed Harlow, NEU Vice President
Steve North, UNISON President (personal capacity)
Julia Mwaluke, UNISON Vice President
Adam Taylor, FBU Acting Vice President
And dozens of NEC members from unions representing teachers, firefighters, post-16 education staff, civil servants, food workers, and public sector workers
