POLITICAL FUND BALLOTS AND THE UNION OF SHOP,DISTRIBUTIVE AND ALLIED WORKERS (USDAW)

Early day motion 117, tabled 23 November 2004 by Lord Mann (Labour). Signed by 52 members.

That this House notes the recent ballot held by USDAW in which 81 per cent. voted to keep the political fund; further notes that under legislation introduced by the Conservative Government in 1984, trade unions wishing to contribute to political parties or engage in other political activities must establish a political fund; further notes that each union must ballot their members every 10 years on whether to retain this fund; recognises that all individual union members have the right to opt out of paying into a political fund should they so choose; is concerned that this means trade unions bear an excessive financial burden in order to fulfil their natural role of representing their members' interest; believes that in light of the USDAW members recent overwhelming vote in favour of retaining the union's political fund that the Government should abolish the legislation that puts such excessive burdens on trade unions.

Signatures by party: Labour 46, Labour/Co-operative 6.