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Trade Union Bill 'is this generation's poll tax moment' | Trade Union Bill 'is this generation's poll tax moment' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A union leader has warned that the UK government's shake up of strike legislation could prove to be as controversial in Scotland as the poll tax was for Margaret Thatcher's government. | A union leader has warned that the UK government's shake up of strike legislation could prove to be as controversial in Scotland as the poll tax was for Margaret Thatcher's government. |
Gary Smith, from the GMB union, has called on the Scottish government to do more to oppose the bill. | Gary Smith, from the GMB union, has called on the Scottish government to do more to oppose the bill. |
UK ministers intend to introduce new laws in the Trade Union Bill. | UK ministers intend to introduce new laws in the Trade Union Bill. |
The Scottish government said it was opposed to the legislation. | The Scottish government said it was opposed to the legislation. |
The new trade union law would force unions to give employers 14 days' notice of action and could limit the amount of money unions have to mount campaigns. | The new trade union law would force unions to give employers 14 days' notice of action and could limit the amount of money unions have to mount campaigns. |
Mr Smith said: "The Scottish government needs to say very clearly that policing is about priorities, and trying to crush dissent and attack trade unions is not a priority for the Scottish police. | Mr Smith said: "The Scottish government needs to say very clearly that policing is about priorities, and trying to crush dissent and attack trade unions is not a priority for the Scottish police. |
"The Scottish government has a choice here - they are either on the side of the trade unionists or they are going to be supporting the jailing of trade unionists. | "The Scottish government has a choice here - they are either on the side of the trade unionists or they are going to be supporting the jailing of trade unionists. |
"This is this generation's poll tax moment." | "This is this generation's poll tax moment." |
UK minister have argued the move is not "a declaration of war" on unions. | UK minister have argued the move is not "a declaration of war" on unions. |
The community charge - more commonly known as the poll tax - was introduced in Scotland in 1989, a year before it was implemented in England and Wales. | The community charge - more commonly known as the poll tax - was introduced in Scotland in 1989, a year before it was implemented in England and Wales. |
It was a single flat-rate tax on every adult, set by the local authority. | It was a single flat-rate tax on every adult, set by the local authority. |
Many people refused to pay it and the subsequent protests and riots contributed to Mrs Thatcher's downfall as prime minister. | Many people refused to pay it and the subsequent protests and riots contributed to Mrs Thatcher's downfall as prime minister. |
After widespread civil unrest and protest, it was replaced by the council tax in 1993. | After widespread civil unrest and protest, it was replaced by the council tax in 1993. |
A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We have set out our clear and strong opposition to the proposals in the Trade Union Bill, which we regard as a totally unjustified attack on workers' rights. | A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We have set out our clear and strong opposition to the proposals in the Trade Union Bill, which we regard as a totally unjustified attack on workers' rights. |
"We will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest possible way, and we urge the UK government to look again at these deeply flawed proposals." | "We will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest possible way, and we urge the UK government to look again at these deeply flawed proposals." |