Trade Union
Bill
That this
Council recognises the positive contribution that trade unions and
trade union members make in our workplaces. This Council values the
constructive relationship that we have with our trade unions and we
recognise their commitment, and the commitment of all our staff, to
the delivery of good quality public services.
This Council notes with concern the Trade Union Bill which is
currently being proposed by the Government and which would affect
this Council’s relationship with our trade unions and our
workforce as a whole. This Council rejects this Bill’s attack
on local democracy and the attack on our right to manage our own
affairs.
This Council is clear that facility time, negotiated and agreed by
us and our trade unions to suit our own specific needs, has a
valuable role to play in the creation of good quality and
responsive local services. Facility time should not be determined
or controlled by Government in London.
This Council is happy with the arrangements we currently have in
place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through
our payroll. We see this as an important part of our positive
industrial relations and a cheap and easy to administer system that
supports our staff. This system is an administrative matter for the
Council and should not be interfered with by the UK Government.
This Council resolves to support the campaign against the
unnecessary, anti-democratic and bureaucratic Trade Union
Bill.
This Council further resolves to seek to continue its own locally
agreed industrial relations strategy and will take every measure
possible to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and
the continuing use of check-off.
Minutes:
Councillor Spackman, seconded by Councillor Packham, moved a Notice of Motion in the following terms:-
“That this Council recognises the positive contribution
that trade unions and trade union members make in our workplaces.
This Council values the constructive relationship that we have with
our trade unions and we recognise their commitment, and the
commitment of all our staff, to the delivery of good quality public
services.
This Council notes with concern the Trade Union Bill which is
currently being proposed by the Government and which would affect
this Council’s relationship with our trade unions and our
workforce as a whole. This Council rejects this Bill’s attack
on local democracy and the attack on our right to manage our own
affairs.
This Council is clear that facility time, negotiated and agreed by
us and our trade unions to suit our own specific needs, has a
valuable role to play in the creation of good quality and
responsive local services. Facility time should not be determined
or controlled by Government in London.
This Council is happy with the arrangements we currently have in
place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through
our payroll. We see this as an important part of our positive
industrial relations and a cheap and easy to administer system that
supports our staff. This system is an administrative matter for the
Council and should not be interfered with by the UK Government.
This Council resolves to support the campaign against the
unnecessary, anti-democratic and bureaucratic Trade Union
Bill.
This Council further resolves to seek to continue its own locally
agreed industrial relations strategy and will take every measure
possible to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and
the continuing use of check-off.”
In presenting the Notice of Motion, Councillor Spackman highlighted the serious flaws in the draft Bill emphasising that the proposals, rather than avoiding disputes, could increase the likelihood of industrial action. He believed therefore that the proposal would ultimately be disadvantageous to employers and hamper productive negotiations.
Councillor Packham, in seconding the motion, referred to the long history of the Trade Union movement which had contributed significantly to the improvement of employee conditions in this country listing the large number of achievements in improving conditions at work and for employees themselves. She referred to those bodies who were opposing the Bill and highlighted that, whilst some organisations were permitted to ballot their members on-line, it was proposed to deny this facility to Trade Unions.
Another Member criticised the Bill on the grounds that it singled out the public sector, that it would undermine collective bargaining and reduce public funding of trade unions. He emphasised that the improved conditions achieved by unions also led to improved services and therefore were of direct benefit to the public. Other Members, in supporting the motion, also agreed that the Bill was an attack on public services and that it went against the spirt of localism, removing powers of local authorities to negotiate with its own employees. Reference was made to the advantages of facility time, negotiated between employers and trade unions to suit specific needs and to the role Unions played in contributing to improved performance by employers.
Another Member, whilst recognising the achievements of Trade Unions and the work in dealing with grievances, pay and conditions stated that he did not believe in strike action and asked that reference be included in the motion to remove the right to strike.
Whilst the majority of Members supported the motion some indicated their opposition.
Councillor Spackman, in response, urged Members to support the motion against an anti-democratic Bill and to ensure that this Council can continue its own locally agreed industrial relations strategy.
Exeter City Council resolved to:-
(1) support the campaign against the unnecessary, anti-democratic and bureaucratic Trade Union Bill; and
(2) sought to continue its own locally agreed industrial relations strategy and would take every measure possible to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and the continuing use of check-off.
In accordance with Standing Order 27(1) a named vote on the motion was called for as follows:
Voting for:
Councillors Bialyk, Branston, Brimble, Bull, Buswell, Choules, Denham, George, Hannaford, Hannan, Laws, Lyons, Morse, Owen, Packham, Pearson, Raybould, The Deputy Lord Mayor, Sheldon, Spackman, Sutton, Vizard, Wardle and Williams.
(24 Members)
Voting against:
Councillor Shiel
(1 Member)
Abstain:
The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor, Baldwin, Brock, Harvey, Henson, Holland, Leadbetter, Mottram, Newby, Prowse and Thompson
(11 Members)
Absent:
Councillors Edwards, Crew and Morris.
(3 Members)
The Notice of Motion was carried.