PCS: Union urges MPs to back amendments to Employment Bill

PCS: Union urges MPs to back amendments to Employment Bill

PCS: Union urges MPs to back amendments to Employment Bill

The Public and Commercial Services Union urged MPs to make a difference to Britain’s workforce by supporting a number of amendments to the Employment Bill which are being debated in the House of Commons today.

The amendments cover fairer balloting procedures for industrial action, the right for trade unions to exclude and expel fascists, the creation of union workplace environmental reps, better protection for workers taking lawful industrial action and stopping the use of agency workers to replace those taking part in industrial action.

Chair of the PCS parliamentary group, John McDonnell MP is tabling the amendment on union workplace environmental reps, which seeks to provide time off for training, activities such as promoting greening the workplace initiatives, carrying out environmental audits and consultation on workplace environmental policies.

Commenting, Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “MPs have the opportunity to tackle the most onerous and restrictive trade union laws in Europe and repeal the worst of Thatcher’s oppressive anti-union laws. Added to this they can send out a message against fascism by giving unions the right to exclude people whose views stand in stark contrast to equality, tolerance and respect.

“MPs also have the chance to make a real difference to the environment by allowing union reps time off to work with employers in reducing emissions and greening the workplace.”

John McDonnell MP, said: “This is a chance for the government to make a real difference by empowering people on the ground to develop and implement practical steps to improving environmental standards at their workplace.”

On trade union freedom bill amendments (NCs1-3): “Ever since we came to power the labour movement has demanded that the government at least make some move to repeal the worst of Thatcher’s anti-union laws. Now at long last MPs will be allowed to vote on what is commonly regarded as some of the most backward legislation on employees’ rights in Europe.

“As we enter recession following the near-collapse of the banking system, these amendments are a minimal demand to the government from the trade union movement. It is wrong that workers should have to pay for corporate greed with their jobs, homes and livelihoods. Having stood by the bankers, the government now needs to stand by the workers.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

* For further information, interviews and comment please contact Alex Flynn PCS national press officer on 020 7801 2820 or 07833 978216.

* PCS, the Public and Commercial Services Union is the union representing civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies. It also represents workers in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich.

Alex Flynn
National Press Officer
Public and Commercial Services Union
160 Falcon Rd
London SW11 2LN

Direct line: 020 7801 2747
Mobile: 07833 978 216
Fax: 020 7924 1847

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