UK Parliament / Open data

Trade Union Bill

Proceeding contribution from Chris Stephens (Scottish National Party) in the House of Commons on Monday, 14 September 2015. It occurred during Debate on bills on Trade Union Bill.

I agree, because what has happened to collective bargaining is tragic. In 1979, for example, 81% of workers in Scotland had their pay determined by collective bargaining, but that figure is now 23%. Collective bargaining should be encouraged across the board, because it leads to higher wages.

The Government should be going in the opposite direction. We need stronger trade union rights and stronger employment rights in this country. It cannot be right that an employer can issue a 45-day redundancy notice to a worker. That was one of the big mistakes of the previous Administration. We believe that trade unions have the right to bargain collectively. We believe that this Bill seeks to undermine the great work of the trade union movement. It is a 19th-century solution in a 21st-century world.

About this proceeding contribution

Reference

599 c788 

Session

2015-16

Chamber / Committee

House of Commons chamber
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