Government right to drop social media plans in Trade Union Bill, says TUC

date: Monday 3 November 2015
embargo: For immediate release

Responding to the announcement today (Monday), that the government is to drop plans in the Trade Union Bill to make unions give two weeks’ notice on their use of social media during a strike, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The government is clearly beginning to feel the pressure to amend this draconian and unnecessary bill. It was a ridiculous plan to make unions give two weeks’ notice on their use of Facebook and Twitter during strikes and to spell out a fortnight ahead what would be written on protest placards.

“However, today’s announcement doesn’t change the fact that this Bill is a huge threat to civil liberties. Picket supervisors will still have to give their name and contact details to the police, and unions still face court injunctions and possible damages if an organiser forgets to wear an armband.

“The fundamental right to strike remains under attack. Ministers are pushing ahead with plans to allow employers to break strikes with agency workers, and to tie unions up in red tape.

“We will continue to oppose this damaging legislation each and every inch of the way.”

Despite today’s announcement, trade unions still face the risk of legal challenge (injunctions stopping the picket) and fines if a union supervisor fails to:

• wear an armband
• carry a letter of approval from their union
• show the letter of approval to their employer or representative (which could include security firms)

In addition, the government still plans to:
• lift the ban on the use of agency workers during strikes
• stop union membership subs being deducted from payroll in the public sector
• cap time off for trade union reps in the public sector
• update the code of practice on picketing

The next stages of the Trade Union Bill will be debated by MPs on Tuesday 10 November.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews

Contacts:
Media enquiries:
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Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Michael Pidgeon  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: mpidgeon@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Wed)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal (Thu and Fri)  T: 020 7467 1385  M: 07941 547469  E: katwal@tuc.org.uk