TRADES UNION FREEDOM BILL CAMPAIGN

That this House recognises free and independent trades unions are a force for good in UK society and around the world and are vital to democracy; welcomes the positive role modern unions play in providing protection for working people and winning fairness at work; further recognises and welcomes the fact that union members earn significantly more than non-union members and therefore that unions have a vital role to play in the fight against poverty and inequality; regrets that successive anti-union legislation has meant that trades union rights are now weaker than those introduced by the Trades Disputes Act 1906; is concerned that weaker trades union rights has contributed to a significant fall in collective bargaining coverage over the last 25 years which in turn has contributed to increases in inequality in the UK; therefore further welcomes and supports the Trades Union Congress campaign for a Trades Union Freedom Bill whose principles include better protection for workers, such as those sacked by Gate Gourmet in 2005, allowing limited supportive action, following a ballot, in specific circumstances, and simplification of the ballot procedures; and therefore urges the Government to bring forward amendments to the Employment Bill to reflect the principles contained in the Trades Union Freedom Bill.