Pressure by right wing ultras recently led to a Government review being initiated of the right to paid time off for trade union duties. Their attention is now shifting to the payroll check off arrangements whereby union subscriptions are deducted at source (DOCAS).
An article on the Conservative home website makes ominous reference to past requirements for unions to seek individual signed re - authorisation every 3 years for deduction of subscriptions from earnings:
http://conservativehome.blogs.com/localgovernment/2011/11/checking-out-the-check-off-system-for-union-subs.html
In the 1990's, before it was repealed by Labour, this requirement was an administrative nightmare for both unions and employers. Although the advent of on-line joining has led to a massive increase in members paying by direct debit, this option makes it harder to keep track of changes in employment and earnings - the former presenting an added complication when balloting for industrial action.
The TUC has made a good start opposing the attack on paid time off for union reps and will need to mobilise with equal vigour to prevent the Tories choking off our membership income.
