WIREDGOV

Responding after yesterday’s (Monday) third reading of the Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The TUC remains opposed to the Trade Union Bill in its entirety and we are disappointed that it is a step closer to becoming law. However, the campaign is far from over.

“When the Bill returns to the Commons on Wednesday, the government will have to respond to the three Lords defeats they suffered on union political funds, facility time and allowing unions to run ballots online.

“The excellent work done by peers has forced a rethink on these key areas. The TUC will continue to press for further changes to this damaging and divisive Bill in both the Commons and the Lords.”

NOTES TO EDITORS: 

• The government was defeated in three votes on the Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords last month. The votes concerned substantial amendments to the Bill on electronic balloting, facility time, and the funds used by unions for political campaigning. In each vote, the government was defeated nearly 2 to 1, with several Conservative peers voting against it or abstaining.
• Last week, following pressure from across the House, ministers backed off plans to ban workers from opting to pay their union subscriptions through payroll in the public sector – the so-called ‘check-off’ system.
• 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:

Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
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 Thurs)  T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk