MIKE HEDGES AM WELCOMES TRADE UNION BILL PASSING TO REVERSE DIVISIVE UK ACT

The National Assembly for Wales has passed a Bill from the Welsh Labour Government that will protect devolved public services in Wales from the Tory UK Government’s divisive Trade Union Act.

Mike said… I greatly welcome the passing of this Bill. The Welsh Government has a proud record of working with Trade Unions in Wales. This Act now enables this positive relationship to continue without the difficulties which the UK government legislation would have initiated. The Welsh Government can get on and work with partners in the Trade Unions and develop the good relationships already undertaken.’

Last year the UK Government passed the Trade Union Act 2016. The Act imposes stringent new strike ballot thresholds in public services and also monitors and restricts the activities of trade unions in supporting the workforce.

The NHS, education, local government and the fire service are examples of devolved public services which are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

The Welsh Labour Government’s Trade Union Bill dis-applies parts of the Act that relate to these services.

This means that when it becomes law, the imposition of an overall support threshold of 40% on strike ballots, provisions on trade union facility time and conditions on payroll deductions for trade union membership – commonly known as check-off – will be reversed and will no longer apply to Wales.

The Bill also protects the position where agency workers are prevented from covering the work of public sector employees during industrial action, in the event the UK Government acts to remove that protection.