Hard right elements in the Con Dem ranks along with the Tory newspapers have declared open season on trade union facility time over the past 12 months.
This week, in a welcome antidote to these systematic attacks on trade union rights, Jim Sheridan MP has tabled a House of Commons Early Day Motion stating that 'this House recognises and supports the economic and social value of trade union representatives in the workplace; notes that there are over 200,000 lay union representatives in the UK;
further notes that the union representatives in the public sector have been estimated by the Government to save between 167 million and 397 million every year in resolving or preventing disputes between the workforce and the employer, increasing the take up of training, reducing staff turnover and absences, as well as delivering annual productivity gains of up to 3.6 billion;
further recognises that the cost of union representatives in the public sector is far outweighed by this resounding economic benefit and the positive impact on workplace culture; further notes that union representatives are legally entitled to paid time off to carry out union duties;
believes that the position of all employees and employers is improved by union representation; and calls on the Government to use the current review of employment law to reinforce the legal status of union representatives.' http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2010-11/1978
17 MP's have signed it so far. Contact your MP and ask her or him to sign it! http://www.theyworkforyou.com/
