05 June 2016

The Guardian has reported that the Welsh Assembly will tomorrow (05 July 2016) announce legislation that counters the draconian laws put in place by the Trade Union Act.

First Minister Carwyn Jones warned Westminster that Wales was not accepting of the new legislation - which includes the introduction of new thresholds for strike ballots and puts public sector facility time under threat - while the Bill was still moving through parliament.

In March, he said: “This bill is damaging, divisive, intrudes on the delivery of public services in Wales … [and will] lead to a confrontational relationship between employers and workforce.”

The Trade Union Act was also widely opposed in the House of Lords and within the Labour Party, and Jones’ position on the new law has been backed in Wales by Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems.

The Institute of Employment Rights is calling for the repeal of this unpopular Act as part of our Manifesto for Labour Law - 25 policy recommendations for the progressive reform of employment law - which Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has confirmed will inform the official Manifesto of the next Labour government.

Read more on the Manifesto for Labour Law