The Trade Union Bill urges more police involvement in pickets
Yesterday Dave Prentis, the general secretary of UNISON, wrote on these pages about government plans to further clamp down on workers’ rights when they introduce the Trade Union Bill. The latest proposals include requiring all striking picket workers to identify themselves to police and give 14-days’ notice of all picket and protest plans.
Prentis said these proposals were ‘all about making life tough for unions and the working people they represent just for the hell of it’. Today a YouGov poll shows that more than three-quarters of the public agree that these new measures are a waste of police time.
The survey, carried out for the TUC, shows that 77 per cent of people -including 69 per cent of Conservative voters – think making it compulsory for unions to give 14-days’ notice if they are planning to use a loudspeaker or carry a banner is ‘a bad use of police time’.
A similar number (72 per cent) think the same of forcing unions to submit what they are planning to post on social media and blogs during a strike two weeks ahead of time.
This specific proposal seems like a gross infringement on media freedom; if unions breach this rule or others they could be hit with financial penalties of up to £20,000.
The poll also showed public concern about the victimisation of union members. 60 per cent) of the public think making the lead person on a peaceful picket line give their name to their employer will have a negative effect on that person’s career.
The findings come as the government prepares to bring its Trade Union Bill before parliament for its second reading, which could take place as early as next week.
The Trade Union Bill was described this week as ‘a major attack on civil liberties in the UK’ by human rights groups including Amnesty International, Liberty and the British Institute of Human Rights:
“It is hard to see the aim of this bill as anything but seeking to undermine the rights of all working people.”
Ministers have also been criticised by the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) – the government’s red tape watchdog – for trying to rush through the Bill without proper consultation.
The RPC described the government’s three impact assessments on its proposals as ‘red – not fit for purpose’ and said the government had not made the case for the changes.
The government has said it felt forced to make the changes after a number of strikes based on small turnouts.
Ruby Stockham is a staff writer at Left Foot Forward
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22 Responses to “Three-quarters of the public think government strike plans will be a waste of police time”
Mick
No, I don’t know I’m born. I’ll have to check with that woman I call my mother.
Again, you do underline what I’ve said – past battles against mill owners who even sent hired thugs themselves, etc., are indeed a stain on our industrial past. Britain was great but nothing was perfect.
A moderate trades union movement is not the same as a feeble one, which you yourself misunderstand. And in saying that, the kind of heavy, constant wildcat actions which ended up punishing ordinary people more than bosses is the only other order of the day, then. How does that make people appreciate past victories for genuine rights?
A moderate trades union movement can still argue, protest, strike and negotiate without becoming feral at the whims of a militant leadership. And with feral leaderships able to use block votes, ballotless walkouts, flying pickets and beaten ‘scabs’ to swing their way during the glory years, power does indeed go back to ordinary workers when these communist dictatorships are dismantled.
stevep
No, I don`t misunderstand at all. I used to be a lay Trades Union official and I can reassure you that what I said was correct. No one wants to take any form of industrial action unless they have to, but if they do they want it to be from a position of strength and solidarity.
The company I worked for at the time was a progressive one and recognised that proper Trade Union representation in the workplace benefited them as much as the members.
Sadly, enlightened companies are rare, especially these days.
You seem to be living in a somewhat imaginary Daily Mail-tinted past and have formed your colourful views as a result.
Don`t worry, millions share your affliction, but with the advent of better internet access and websites like Left Foot Forward, they are recovering slowly and seeing the light.
By the way, you do know this site is called LEFT Foot Forward.
Just asking.
Mick
Ah, so on the one hand, the caring balm of Leftiness can cure the bigotry of millions like me. But on the other hand, you wonder that I’m even curious about your wonderful church. (Alright, ‘mosque’. Gotta be inclusive.)
I think the likes of John Lewis is a wonderful thing. Just goes to show that balance on both sides can get a happier deal. But just as a bastard boss could do with a striking against, a loony union leader can do with his wings clipped. The Tories are just tidying things up a bit.
Nothing’s been ‘banned’, as the left wing scream sheets wail. On the crux issues, workers can still do as they like, so long as the Aye-s have it. Just like in Parliament.
stevep
No, you poor deluded soul, the Tories are not “tidying things up a bit”, they are descending into fascism.
Mick
Now I know where Rik from the Young Ones came from.