The Trade Union Bill 2015: Free public meeting

Following the recent publication of the Government’s Trade Union Bill (July 2015), Class, together with the Institute of Employment Rights (IER) and the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom (CTUF) are holding a public meeting to review the Bill and discuss what steps the labour movement needs to take to expose the unfair and undemocratic nature of the government’s proposals. The event is free and open to anyone to attend. 

The Government's new Bill is a blatant attack on trade unions and includes draconian restrictions on the right to strike, with the introduction of a 50% voting threshold for union ballots turnouts and a new requirement that 40% of those entitled to vote must vote in favour of industrial action in certain essential public services including fire, education, health and transport. In addition, the Government has proposed new legislation to change union political funds from the current ‘opt-out’ system to an ‘opt-in’ system, a transparent attempt to reduce the ability of trade unions to fund not only political parties but a wide range of other non-party political activities. An “opt-in” system for trade union political funds would affect all political activities of trade unions, as well as donations to the Labour Party. You can read more about the Government's proposals in our briefing here.

Speakers include:

John Hendy QC, IER Chair

Sarah Veale, TUC

Len McCluskey, Unite General Secretary

Heather Wakefield, Unison

John McDonell MP

Carolyn Jones, IER

Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary

Keith Ewing, IER President

Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary

Dave Green, FBU 
 

More information about this free event can be found on the IER's website: http://www.ier.org.uk/news/trade-union-bill-2015-review-and-resist-free-public-meeting