EFFAT EXECUTIVE MAY 4TH 2016 UK TRADE UNION BILL AND EU REFERENDUM VOTE

TRADE UNION BILL How did Government justify it? fundamental reforms to modernise trade union law. Remove democratic deficit - ensure that strike action only ever takes place on the basis of clear and representative mandates, through new thresholds that strike ballots must meet (unlike Governments to rule!) improve transparency and oversight of trade unions Increase notice of strike action, and give employers greater chance to prepare for industrial action and put in place contingency plans

The subplot Try to finish off what Thatcher started and break unions Cut support for Labour Party – effectively try to bankrupt it Deny unions the right to electronic balloting to increase turn out Undermine right to strike in UK but create precedents that threaten other EU trade unions

Trade union campaign Major campaign over past 10 months Involving: TUC, all its affiliates, MPs MEPs, members of the House of Lords Great support from EU trade union colleagues – solidarity, letters to Government vital ILO formal concerns

Key threats in proposals Restricting right to strike – increase notice and ballot thresholds (50% + 40% in favour in essential services) Reasonably detailed indication of dispute on ballot paper Picketing requirements – armbands, letters of authorisation, use of social media restrictions Substitution of striking workers with agency workers Forcing opt in of all members to political fund and every 5 years plus reporting requirements/certification officer Ban on check-off Refused right for electronic balloting for strikes (modernisation?!) Cap on union facilities and facility time

What we gained in campaign DROPPED extreme measures to restrict protest,e.g. giving employers detailed plans for pickets and social media campaigns14 days in advance, forcing those picketing to show their personal data to the police, employers or anyone who asked to see it. SCALED BACK the double threshold for strike ballots in “important public services”, to avoid capturing 100s of thousands of ancillary workers. ABANDONED plans to ban union subscriptions via payroll (check-off), provided the union pays payment processing costs (as many already do). CONCEDED safeguards against politicisation union regulator role (Certification Officer) and reduced its costs to unions. WATERED DOWN plans to restrict union political funds. Changes only apply to new members, and the cost and effort of new requirements will be much reduced. AGREED TO a review of letting unions use online methods for strike ballots. This would help increase turnouts, as we know postal balloting suppresses them. ADDED SAFEGUARDS to a new reserve power to cap union facility time. This will happen now only after at least 3 years of research and negotiation with employers.

Where are we now? Final stages of Bill – Government and house of Lords ping-pong on final amendments Major progress made with support of Lords! Several amendments accepted in Commons on 27th April 2016 Next steps Royal Assent and Act of Parliament expected June scope for further changes in secondary regulations and guidance etc. Still harmful Bill but Government dented by campaign Ultimate aim to kill Bill with new Government

EU REFERENDUM Government announced in 2013 it would hold Referendum on UK’s future in EU before end 2017 Subject to negotiating EU reforms Agreement on reforms at EUCouncil Summit Feb 2016 EU Referendum date set – 23 June 2016 Formal campaign now launched

Who’s reforms? Cameron’s reforms are not our reforms He Negotiated: Denying EU migrants access to in-work benefits for up to 4 years – to be applicable over a maximum 7 year period Restricting child benefits sent abroad to the cost of living of the country where the child lives Protection for non-eurozone countries – though City of London will have to respect level playing field Reduction of ‘excessive’ EU regulations and administrative ‘burdens’ Britain exempt from “ever closer union” political commitment

What UK unions want Put Social Europe and people back centre stage Strengthen collective bargaining and trade union role Tackle tax dodgers so they have nowhere to hide Deal with employers who exploit workers and undercut wages and conditions, rather than going after the exploited Tear up trade deals that are undemocratic and threaten our public services, labour rights and environmental standards – and ensure trade is fair and puts people first Tackle growing intolerance and discrimination/far right

UK REMAIN OR LEAVE? Polls far too close to call – end of April some had Leave at 51% year olds denied a vote as are UK citizens living outside UK for more than 15yrs.EU residents in UK also denied vote Largest 3 UK unions all supporting REMAIN. Question: Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? X Remain a member of the EU X Leave the EU

Watch this space!!! Thank you