Scottish Government “will leave no stone unturned” in opposing the Trade Union Bill

The Scottish Government "will leave no stone unturned” in its attempts to block the Trade Union Bill, according to Roseanna Cunningham.

The Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training was speaking ahead of a debate in Holyrood today on the legislation, which will restrict workers’ ability to strike.

The debate comes after the publication of a report by the Devolution (Further Powers) Committee, questioning the UK Government’s view on competence and evidence to support the legislation’s proposed financial savings.

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Describing the Bill as ‘flawed’, the Committee backed comments from COSLA, describing the Bill as ‘unnecessary and unjustified imposition, which could ultimately lead to more industrial unrest across Scotland’.

Cunningham said: “I want to reassure each and every worker in Scotland that we will leave no stone unturned and no route unexplored as we seek to block this exceptionally damaging legislation being applied in Scotland.

“The recent Devolution Committee report – prompted by a Scottish Government policy memorandum – on Westminster’s Trade Union Bill was scathing. This proposed legislation is a litany of errors, from its questionable purpose and competence to its lack of proper consultation, all intent on destroying the effectiveness of Trade Unions and Scotland’s good industrial relations.”

If passed the Bill would demand that 50 per cent of members turn out to vote, with 40 per cent of the entire membership are in favour, for strike action to go ahead.

It would allow businesses to use agency workers to replace striking workers and increase the amount of notice required before action could be taken.

Cunningham said: “The recent intervention by the House of Lords is a welcome step, and which further underlines that this fundamentally flawed piece of legislation is unfit for purpose. However, it is crystal clear that it is the Scottish Parliament that should have powers over workplace relations. While both the Trade Union Bill and the Scotland Bill are still going through their passage at Westminster I call on all those opposed to the Bill to do everything they can push for those Bills to be amended and remove Scotland from the extent of the Bill.”