Government defeat exposes how ill-thought out Trade Union Bill is, says TUC

20 January 2016

Commenting after today’s (Wednesday) defeat of the government in the House of Lords on the Trade Union Bill, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“We are pleased that peers from all parties, and none, have voted today to set up a cross-party committee to scrutinise the unjustifiable proposals on political funds in the government’s Trade Union Bill. 

“Today’s debate has exposed once again how ill-thought through the government’s Trade Union Bill is. At its Second Reading, widespread concerns were raised across the House about the threat this Bill poses to good industrial relations and fair treatment at work. We encourage all peers to carefully scrutinise the whole bill during the Committee Stage, which starts on 8 February.

“It is essential that ministers listen and rethink their plans before lasting damage is done. Ministers should be engaging positively with workers and their representatives, not making their lives harder.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk