THE PCS in Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to defy the Conservative Trade Union bill if it becomes law. PCS, the trade union for civil servants and public sector workers made its call as the TUC voted for a national day of action to protest at the UK Government proposals. Already at least two councils in Scotland have said they will defy the bill by continuing to collect trade union dues through payroll, also known as check-off, and by not cutting down on time off for union activities. Lynn Henderson, PCS Scottish secretary said: “Whilst we welcome the positive view of John Swinney towards unions, it is now time for action. There is overwhelming public opposition to these attacks on trade union rights and civil liberties. 58 of the 59 Scottish MPs oppose the Trade Union Bill as an overt and ideological attack on trade union organisation. “A growing number of Scottish councils have declared they will defy these attacks on trade unions. It is time for the Scottish Government to take the lead as a Fair Work Employer and say no to the Tory attacks on our rights at work.” The Conservative Trade Union bill passed by 33 votes in the Commons on Monday night. The bill will tighten rules on strike action by creating minimum turnout thresholds for strike ballots to lead to industrial action. In public services, at least 40 per cent of eligible union members would need to back a strike. This has been attacked by opponents of the bill as effectively counting some abstentions as no votes. Neil Findlay MSP, chair of the PCS parliamentary group said: “The Scottish government must start to back up their words with action. The Tory Trade Union Bill is an unprecedented attack on the rights of working people to organise and defend themselves as part of a trade union. Many local authorities have led the way in defying these Tory attacks and it’s not unreasonable to expect the Scottish Government to do the same.” Dave Watson from Unison said he hoped the Government would consider a legislative consent motion as the Welsh Assembly had. “Essentially we want these matters in Holyrood,” he said. Watson said unions were trying to “build a broad coalition of support across Scotland, and I think that’s already coming into place, politically and organisationally”. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said ministers would oppose the plans: “We have set out our clear opposition to the proposals in the Trade Union Bill, which we regard as a totally unjustified attack on workers’ rights. “We will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest possible way, and we urge the UK Government to look again at these deeply flawed proposals.” TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady mounted a furious attack against the bill at TUC: “If David Cameron was really battling for blue-collar Britain, he’d be fighting for stronger rights. “To stop bosses getting away with pitting worker against worker to undercut pay. “The Conservative Party no longer represents the interests of industry in general – its main purpose is to serve just one, global finance.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here