Trade Union Bill receives Royal Assent


The Trade Union Bill has become law after receiving Royal Assent. It follows an eight-month battle to block it in and outside Parliament.


“The Bill’s progress today is simply a dark day for workers and for those who speak up in their defence when power is misused,” said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.


But he praised the “dogged” scrutiny by MPs and Lords who helped unions to win “significant concessions” from the government on some of the worst aspects.


For example, the government has been forced into a review of electronic strike ballots, while the opt-in system for unions’ political funds will only be imposed on new members. 


Despite the victories, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said the new Act posed “a serious threat to good industrial relations and is completely unnecessary.


“The history books will show that the government’s first major Act of this Parliament has been to attack the right to strike — a fundamental British liberty.”


The Act does not come into force immediately, but it will be brought into force by a statutory instrument in due course.


A summary of the key elements of the new Act will be published in the June issue of Fact Service’s sister publication Labour Research.


www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-0926-Workers-dark-day-as-Trade-Union-Act-is-made-law