Peers established a special cross-party select committee to look specifically at the parts of the Trade Union Bill that impact on political funds. Usdaw gave evidence to that committee, which was chaired by Lord Burns, and brought forward a number of important amendments that were passed by the House of Lords.
Speaking from the Usdaw Annual Delegate Meeting in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, where delegates unanimously backed opposition to the Trade Union Bill,
John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “We are pleased that Peers listened to our evidence and the Government has retreated on some of the more unnecessary and burdensome regulations that were originally in the Bill.
“We would make a strong case for political funds because they give working people a collective voice in Parliament, allowing trade unions to stand up for their members in the face of Government attacks and to promote new and improved rights for working people.
“A most recent example of this is last week’s Sunday trading vote. Usdaw’s political funds allowed us to run a full and active campaign to secure support from MPs from all parties to defeat a Government measure opposed by over 90% of our members. Such campaigns by trade unions are an important part of democracy and it would have been wrong for the Government to neuter them with over-burdensome legislation.
“We continue to oppose the Trade Union Bill, because existing regulations already ensure that trade union funds are the most transparent in UK politics.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 440,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
Government amendments to the Trade Union Bill:
- Opt-in to political funds will only apply to new members.
- Political levy payers will not be required to renew their opt-in.
- 12 month transition period for unions to prepare for the new system.
- Opt-in or opt-out will be able to be done on paper or using electronic means, including online forms, emails and potentially texts.
- Unions will be required to remind members annually about their right to opt-out.
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
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