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10/09/2015
Govt Proposal On Trade Union Laws 'Waste Of Police Time'
New restrictions on trade union protests are a waste of police time, according to a new poll commissioned by the TUC.
The poll, carried out by YouGov, found that more than 77% of the public, and 69% of Conservative voters, believe making it compulsory for unions to give two weeks' notice if they intend to use a loudspeaker or carry a banner during a strike is a "bad use of police time".
A similar number, 72%, believe forcing unions to submit what they are planning to post on Facebook, Twitter and on blogs during a strike two weeks in advance to the police would be a "bad use of police time".
Under government proposals, if unions breach this rule they could be hit with financial penalties of up to £20,000.
The findings come as the government prepares to bring its Trade Union Bill before parliament for its second reading.
The bill was criticised earlier this week by human rights groups as "a major attack on civil liberties in the UK".
TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "These findings should be a wake-up call to ministers. The public want the police to be out catching criminals not wasting valuable time and resources supervising peaceful picket lines and social media accounts.
"The government's Trade Union Bill is an attack on the right to strike and will worsen industrial relations. People are rightly concerned that union members will be victimised for taking action to defend their pay and conditions.
"It is great that the public can see through ministers' rhetoric and recognise how unfair and unnecessary these proposals are."
(MH)
The poll, carried out by YouGov, found that more than 77% of the public, and 69% of Conservative voters, believe making it compulsory for unions to give two weeks' notice if they intend to use a loudspeaker or carry a banner during a strike is a "bad use of police time".
A similar number, 72%, believe forcing unions to submit what they are planning to post on Facebook, Twitter and on blogs during a strike two weeks in advance to the police would be a "bad use of police time".
Under government proposals, if unions breach this rule they could be hit with financial penalties of up to £20,000.
The findings come as the government prepares to bring its Trade Union Bill before parliament for its second reading.
The bill was criticised earlier this week by human rights groups as "a major attack on civil liberties in the UK".
TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: "These findings should be a wake-up call to ministers. The public want the police to be out catching criminals not wasting valuable time and resources supervising peaceful picket lines and social media accounts.
"The government's Trade Union Bill is an attack on the right to strike and will worsen industrial relations. People are rightly concerned that union members will be victimised for taking action to defend their pay and conditions.
"It is great that the public can see through ministers' rhetoric and recognise how unfair and unnecessary these proposals are."
(MH)
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