With every government announcement comes an inevitable response from the trade unions. Whether it’s over NHS reform, academies, pensions or slashing government waste, no news report would be complete without a trade union general secretary reciting their well-rehearsed and predictable lines, attacking cuts and bankers. In private, and increasingly in public, union representatives are also talking the language of strikes, co-ordinated industrial action to maximise damage, and civil disobedience.
The government should change union laws to protect tax-payers and the majority of Britons who want to work without disruption
Introducing a voter threshold for unions to approve strike action has been widely suggested, most notably by London Mayor Boris Johnson. However, a wider package of reforms and legislation will be needed to prevent unions bringing Britain to a standstill.
Workers who do not support strikes and want to work must have greater protection from picket-line bullies. The recent criminal conviction of an RMT official for attacking a worker crossing a picket line shows that some union members are prepared to be as aggressive and militant as in the 1980s. Conservatives should always defend the rights of people to work free from intimidation, bullying or violence.
Tax-payer-funded perks for unions must also be cut and be subject to full transparency.
There is mounting evidence that union members are using publicly funded schemes to channel resources into their campaigning and party political activities. This must stop
Finally, to avoid a repeat of the shameful Warwick Agreement, political party funding needs reform. Labour will always oppose measures to restrict donations it receives from the unions, and Ed Miliband has stated that his real priority for the country is to make trade unions the cornerstone of a civilised society. But to clean up politics, protect the tax-payer and support the British economy, there must be an end to union cash for Labour policies.
Comments
Simon / May 12 2011 7:45am
Start of a slippery slope to abolish the right to strike. Have no doubt.
chris Pike / May 12 2011 5:24pm
Trade unions are made up of people who are tax payers and should have the right to strike.. When the likes of female cooks in schools tell me that the council have frozen their pay for 4 years(stockports Lib Council) and have reduced their hours of work it makes sense to be able to support them through union agitation.The majority of union members want a fair days wage for a fair days work.Consevatives the world over always want an opportunity to to squeeze the workers because they compete against other capitalists trying to do the same harm to peoples rights.Close the loopholes for the offshore fortunes of the rich,make the bakers pay their wack and create more Co-operative ventures.......