Trade unions call for Scottish Government to boycott new law

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has called on public bodies in Scotland to refuse to implement the provisions of the government’s Trade Union Bill.

The UK government intends to pass legislation to limit the amount of time workers can spend on union duties and would prevent union dues being automatically deducted from workers’ salaries.

Grahame Smith, general secretary of the STUC, told an audience of trade unionists in Glasgow that the Scottish Government should refuse to enforce the new legislation, despite potential recriminations for failing to follow the law.

Employment law is reserved to Westminster, so the Scottish Parliament cannot legislate on the matter.

Mr Smith said: “It is unacceptable for UK Government minsters to threaten public-sector employers, including the Scottish Government and Scottish councils and health boards, with sanctions, possibly criminal sanctions, if they continue to offer check-off facilities to union members or an amount of facility time to union reps that goes beyond what they decree.

“It is outrageous that UK ministers should have the power to interfere directly in the industrial relations arrangements that public-sector employers choose to have with the unions, particularly in areas where public services are devolved.”

Describing the situation as “unacceptable and untenable”, he added: “I call on the Scottish Government and all Scottish public bodies to join us in opposing the Bill and this ridiculous interference in our IR arrangement, and to make it clear now that should these preposterous proposal became a reality that they will refuse to implement any instructions issued from Westminster on facility time or check-off.”

Roseanna Cunningham, cabinet secretary for fair work, told STV News: “The Scottish Government recognises the importance of ensuring effective consultation and involvement of staff.

“We encourage our staff to join and play an active part in an appropriate trade union and believe that the current check-off and facility time arrangements facilitate this. We confirmed last year that the Scottish Government would continue to offer check-off and our position hasn’t changed.

“I have written to UK ministers seeking information and a discussion about the provisions of the Trade Union Bill and how we can protect Scotland’s distinct approach to industrial relations.

“While we have not yet seen any draft clauses in relation to check-off, we will continue to put forward the view that it should be the prerogative of Scottish ministers to decide on check-off and facility time in Scotland.”