Southwark Labour councillors have taken a stand against the Government’s Trade Union Bill in a motion to full council.
Labour councillors slammed the “unnecessary, anti-democratic and bureaucratic” Bill being proposed by the Government, arguing that would affect the council’s relationship with trade unions and the workforce as a whole.
Labour councillors put on record their recognition of the council’s constructive relationship with trade unions, and the positive contribution made unions and trade union members make in workplaces. Councillors slammed the Government’s attempts to control locally agreed industrial relations, and called on the council to take every measure possible to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and the continuing use of check-off.
East Dulwich ward councillor Charlie Smith, who proposed the Labour motion against the Trade Union Bill, said: “The Government’s Trade Union Bill is an attack on local democracy and an attack on our right to manage our own affairs. We value the constructive relationship we have with our trade unions and recognise their commitment to the delivery of good quality public services. This unfair, unnecessary and undemocratic Bill undermines local authorities’ relationships with trade unions, which is why we are campaigning against it.”