TRADE UNION FREEDOM BILL CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 532, tabled 18 December 2006 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 133 members.

That this House recognises that free and independent trade unions are a force for good in UK society 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; notes the 1906 Trades Disputes Act granted unions the legal freedom to take industrial action; regrets that successive anti-union legislation has meant that trade union rights are now weaker than those introduced by the 1906 Trades Disputes Act; therefore welcomes and supports the TUC campaign for a Trade Union Freedom Bill whose principles include better protection for workers, such as those sacked by Gate Gourmet in 2005, the simplification of ballot procedures and to allow limited supportive action, following a ballot, in specific circumstances; and therefore urges the Government to bring forward legislation to address these proposals.

Signatures by party: Labour 120, Liberal Democrat 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Independent 1, Independent Labour 1.