A Political attack on our democratic right to belong to a trade union

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A Political attack on our democratic right to belong to a trade union

Have you heard about the Lobbying Bill?

It’s the Bill that charities and unions have been campaigning against because it will gag civil society from campaigning at election time.

But did you know that part of the Bill could allow the government to see details of union membership?

It’s the Bill that charities and unions have been campaigning against because it will gag civil society from campaigning at election time.

But did you know that part of the Bill could allow the government to see details of union membership?

Part Three of the Bill is a specific attack on trade unions by the Government. It not only ties up union membership systems in red tape, but risks the confidentiality of union membership lists.

IT’S NOT NEEDED. The law already makes unions keep accurate membership lists and use independent scrutineers to run elections and ballots. If unions get something wrong then members can complain to the government appointed Certification Officer.​

MORE PEOPLE COULD HAVE ACCESS TO MEMBERSHIP LISTS. The new law will also let employers raise complaints. Membership lists will be made open to the Certification Officer, a Membership Assurer (chosen from a government nominated list) and any investigators appointed after a complaint.

This will worry many people. Whilst most people are happy to be open about union membership, many will be deeply concerned about the risk that bad employers could find out what they should be able to keep secret.

We’ve all heard the horror stories about union members being blacklisted. The last thing the government should be doing is giving the state and employers even more access to union membership lists.

This is an attempt to bully & intimidate members and potential new members of trade unions.

Our branch is also facing a personal and political attack on our ability to organise and represent our members.

I’ve just joined an anonymous petition to Andrew Lansley asking him to stop this dangerous proposal.

I am asking all of our members to join it and encourage them to ask their friends and family to sign it as well.

Click on this link here

http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/anonymous

Thanks

John Burgess

Branch Secretary

 

Barnet UNISON