Trade Unions play a vital part in any modern industrial democracy, promoting good industrial relations whilst ensuring that the rights of workers are protected and respected by employers.
The Trade Union Bill, introduced to Parliament by the Conservatives on 15th July, is anti-democratic and unfair, making a mockery of the Government claiming to be on the side of hard working people in this Country.
Stockport Labour Group strongly opposes this vindictive and ideologically-driven legislation which will impose severe restrictions on the right to strike, including allowing employers to use agency staff to break industrial action.
The Trade Union Bill is an attack on working people which will be extremely detrimental to achieving positive industrial relations. We continue to argue that this legislation is highly restrictive and not fit for purpose in a 21st Century democratic society.
The extra requirements contained in the bill regarding facility time and the possible end to payroll deductions of union subscriptions will have very significant administrative consequences for Trade Unions and make it extremely difficult for them to continue to function effectively.
The consequences of those changes in particular will have negative implications for the representation which employees of Stockport Council and other local public and private sector organisations are able to enjoy in the future.
Labour in Stockport is committed to opposing this legislation, and we would encourage all residents concerned at the impact of these changes to join with us in that continued campaign.
Cllr Alex Ganotis, Leader of Stockport Labour Group