BY ALAN JONES UNTED


Measures that are in the Act include:


• Balloting thresholds will come into force by March.


• A review on electronic balloting, likely to run for a year.


• Further consultation on picketing.


• New opt-in rules for political fund contributions due to come into effect in February 2018.


• Consultations will also be held on new powers for the Certification


and arrangements for collecting union subscriptions through check-off.


• 14 days' notice of planned industrial action.


Officer.


• A ballot mandate will expire after six months.


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This kind of financial support was not covered by the legislation.


The Welsh government has given some hope to unions that parts of the Act can be reversed in devolved public services such as the NHS, education, local government and the fire service.


Wales’ local government secretary Mark Drakeford said the Act was unnecessary and would lead to more confrontational relationships between employers and workers.


Unite bus worker rep James Mitchell believes it could also lead to unions having to agree to run some services during a transport strike. “How do we tell someone who votes for a strike that they might have to work during a strike?”


One of many questions still to be answered as the Act rolls out – or rather, rolls back workers’ rights.


There is also an argument that disputes will be dragged out because of the 14- day notice period, giving an incentive


15 uniteWORKS Spring 2017


to some employers to sit things out, knowing unions will have to ballot again after six months.


Conservative MP David Davis attacked parts of the legislation last year as like something out of Franco’s dictatorship in Spain.


Gail Cartmail believes the “whiff of Franco” remains, but adds, “We are not daunted by the Act. We are determined to preserve the democratic right of our members to withdraw their labour.”


• The Cabinet Office will consult on regulations for union facility time


Mark Pinder


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