This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34241810

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Trade Union Bill: Commons to debate government plans Javid: Trade union reforms 'not declaration of war'
(about 11 hours later)
Plans to tighten rules on trade union strike ballots in Britain are to be debated in Parliament for the first time later - amid warnings of industrial and legal action. Ministers have defended a proposed new law to tighten rules on trade union strike ballots in Britain amid warnings of industrial and legal action.
The government's Trade Union Bill proposes curbs on picketing and higher voting thresholds for ballots. Business Secretary Sajid Javid said the Trade Union Bill was "not a declaration of war" on unions or an "attack on the rights of working people".
Unions say the bill is a threat to workers' right to strike, with leaders vowing to fight it "tooth and nail". But he said it was necessary to stop "endless" threats of industrial action.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said it will stop "endless" threats of action. Labour said the bill, which proposes higher voting thresholds for ballots, was "draconian and counter-productive".
The bill will receive its second reading in the Commons later, giving MPs - including new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - their first chance to debate the proposals. New Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and his shadow chancellor John McDonnell were present on his party's frontbench for the first time as MPs debated the proposals for the first time at the bill's second reading.
Mr Corbyn accused the government of "attacking working people".
The government wants to impose a minimum 50% turnout in strike ballots - with public sector strikes also requiring the backing of at least 40% of those eligible to vote.The government wants to impose a minimum 50% turnout in strike ballots - with public sector strikes also requiring the backing of at least 40% of those eligible to vote.
Under current rules, strikes can be called if the majority of those taking part in a ballot vote in favour.Under current rules, strikes can be called if the majority of those taking part in a ballot vote in favour.
The bill will also: The bill, which would apply to unions in England, Wales and Scotland, will also:
The proposals would apply to unions in England, Wales and Scotland. Addressing MPs, Mr Javid rejected claims that the law would make it "illegal or impossible" for unions to go on strike, saying they would still be able to do so when they made a "compelling case" for action to their members
'Criminalising' picketing "This bill is not a declaration of war on the trade union movement," he said. "It is not an attempt to ban industrial action. It is not an attack on the rights of working people. It won't force strikers to seek police approval for their slogans or their tweets."
TUC general secretary, Frances O'Grady, will tell the annual TUC Congress in Brighton later that the bill is the biggest attack on unions in 30 years. The bill was designed to protect the low-paid and self-employed by making it harder for prolonged industrial action to be triggered by a "handful of workers", adding that the measures were broadly backed by the public.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ms O'Grady said the bill threatened "the very principle of the right to strike" and will allow employers to "bus in agency workers to break a strike". He added: "At the heart of this bill, it is all about democracy and accountability."
In passionate exchanges in the Commons, the bill was backed by a succession of Conservative MPs, with John Redwood saying it would stop parents and commuters being held to ransom by stoppages supported by only a minority of union members.
But it was labelled as "vindictive" by Green MP Caroline Lucas, while Labour's Dennis Skinner told ministers "to get rid of it".
"This bill is opposed by all unions affiliated to the Labour Party, to all unions not affiliated to the Labour movement and even the Royal College of Nursing has said no to this bill," he said. "It is a travesty and an intrusion into the democracy of the workplace."
And the new shadow business secretary Angela Eagle said she was "dismayed" that the government was intent on "attacking trade unions rather than working with them in social partnership to improve economic efficiency and productivity".
'Suppressing rights'
TUC general secretary, Frances O'Grady, told the annual TUC Congress in Brighton that the bill was the biggest attack on unions in 30 years.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme earlier, Ms O'Grady said the bill threatened "the very principle of the right to strike" and will allow employers to "bus in agency workers to break a strike".
"I think Acas [Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service] has certainly pointed out the danger that if you suppress that right for people who feel they are being unfairly treated at work to democratically take strike action, then people will find other ways to express that discontent," she said."I think Acas [Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service] has certainly pointed out the danger that if you suppress that right for people who feel they are being unfairly treated at work to democratically take strike action, then people will find other ways to express that discontent," she said.
"The point about that is that in the end it makes it much harder for employers and unions to get around the table and come up with a fair settlement, which is what we should all want to see." The GMB's Sir Paul Kenny said he would be prepared to go to prison if measures such as fining pickets for not wearing an arm band become law while Unison's Dave Prentis said his union would withdraw from partnership working in the NHS if the bill became law, a move he said would affect talks on issues such as equal pay.
GMB general secretary Sir Paul Kenny said he would be prepared to go to prison if measures such as fining pickets for not wearing an arm band become law.
Meanwhile, Unison leader Dave Prentis said he was prepared to fight the bill "tooth and nail".
He said Unison would withdraw from partnership working in the NHS if the bill became law, a move he said would affect talks on issues such as equal pay.
"We would then take legal cases rather than reach agreements," he added.
'A fascist dictatorship'
The Commons debate comes after Tory MP David Davis - while backing the majority of the bill - said elements of it were like something out of Franco's dictatorship in Spain.The Commons debate comes after Tory MP David Davis - while backing the majority of the bill - said elements of it were like something out of Franco's dictatorship in Spain.
Labour's new leader Mr Corbyn said the bill will make it harder for workers "to take strike action to defend their jobs, pay and pensions".Labour's new leader Mr Corbyn said the bill will make it harder for workers "to take strike action to defend their jobs, pay and pensions".
Writing in the Daily Mirror, he said: "Britain already has the most restrictive trade union laws in western Europe, and senior Conservatives have likened this new legislation to something from a fascist dictatorship. Writing in the Daily Mirror, he said: "Britain already has the most restrictive trade union laws in western Europe....There is a choice - there is always a choice - and this government is yet again making the wrong ones."
"There is a choice - there is always a choice - and this government is yet again making the wrong ones."
New shadow chancellor John McDonnell told trade union members on Sunday night that Labour would unanimously oppose the bill.
He pledged to support union demonstrations and protests, saying: "We will be with you at every stage."
However, the government said under current laws, industrial action at ongoing disputes on London Underground and First Great Western could carry on for years.
Mr Javid said trade unions play "an important role", but added: "When working people's lives are being disrupted by strike action, it is only fair that this happens as a result of a contemporary mandate that is supported by the majority of trade union members."
Employment minister Nick Boles added: "These modernising reforms will ensure strikes will only happen as a result of a clear, positive and recent decision by those entitled to vote."