That this Council recognises the positive contribution that trade unions and trade union members make in our workplaces. This Council values the constructive relationship that we have with our trade unions and we recognise their commitment, and the commitment of all our staff, to the delivery of good quality public services.

This Council notes with concern the Trade Union Bill which is currently being proposed by the Government and which would affect this Council’s relationship with our trade unions and our workforce as a whole. This Council rejects this Bill’s attack on local democracy and the attack on our right to manage our own affairs.

This Council is clear that facility time, negotiated and agreed by us and our trade unions to suit our own specific needs, has a valuable role to play in the creation of good quality and responsive local services. Facility time should not be determined or controlled by Government in London.

This Council is happy with the arrangements we currently have in place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through our payroll. We see this as an important part of our positive industrial relations and a cheap and easy to administer system that supports our staff. This system is an administrative matter for the Council and should not be interfered with by the UK Government.  

This Council resolves to support the campaign against the unnecessary, anti-democratic and bureaucratic Trade Union Bill.

This Council further resolves to seek to continue its own locally agreed industrial relations strategy and will take every measure possible to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and the continuing use of check-off.

It was moved and seconded that:

“That this Council recognises the positive contribution that trade unions and trade union members make in our workplaces. This Council values the constructive relationship that we have with our trade unions and we recognise their commitment, and the commitment of all our staff, to the delivery of good quality public services.

This Council notes with concern the Trade Union Bill which is currently being proposed by the Government and which would affect this Council’s relationship with our trade unions and our workforce as a whole. This Council rejects this Bill’s attack on local democracy and the attack on our right to manage our own affairs.

This Council is clear that facility time, negotiated and agreed by us and our trade unions to suit our own specific needs, has a valuable role to play in the creation of good quality and responsive local services. Facility time should not be determined or controlled by Government in London.

This Council is happy with the arrangements we currently have in place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through our payroll. We see this as an important part of our positive industrial relations and a cheap and easy to administer system that supports our staff. This system is an administrative matter for the Council and should not be interfered with by the UK Government.  

This Council resolves to support the campaign against the unnecessary, anti-democratic and bureaucratic Trade Union Bill.

This Council further resolves to seek to continue its own locally agreed industrial relations strategy and will take every measure possible to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and the continuing use of check-off.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council recognises the positive contribution that trade unions and trade union members make in our workplaces and values the constructive relationship that we have with our trade unions.  We recognise their commitment, and the commitment of all our staff, to the delivery of good quality public services.

The Council supports the stated aim of the Trade Union Bill as legislation to reform trade unions and protect essential public services against strikes but does expresses the following opinion in relation to both facility time and check off.

The Council is clear that facility time, negotiated and agreed locally with our trade unions to suit our own specific needs, has a valuable role to play in the creation of good quality and responsive local services.

The Council accepts the arrangements presently in place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through our payroll run and agrees that this is an administrative matter for the Council to determine itself.

The Council is mindful of the need to maintain the positive relationship  it holds with its trade unions and therefore resolves to seek to continue its own locally agreed industrial relations strategy and will take every measure possible, within the law, to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and the continuing use of check-off.”

During the debate on the amendment and in response to a suggestion, the mover and seconder, with the consent of the meeting, proposed an alteration to the amendment that the second paragraph be deleted.

The amendment, as altered was put to the vote and declared carried. Consequently, the substantive Motion was agreed with the general consent of the Council.

RESOLVED: That this Council recognises the positive contribution that trade unions and trade union members make in our workplaces and values the constructive relationship that we have with our trade unions.  We recognise their commitment, and the commitment of all our staff, to the delivery of good quality public services.

The Council is clear that facility time, negotiated and agreed locally with our trade unions to suit our own specific needs, has a valuable role to play in the creation of good quality and responsive local services.

The Council accepts the arrangements presently in place for deducting trade union membership subscriptions through our payroll run and agrees that this is an administrative matter for the Council to determine itself.

The Council is mindful of the need to maintain the positive relationship  it holds with its trade unions and therefore resolves to seek to continue its own locally agreed industrial relations strategy and will take every measure possible, within the law, to maintain its autonomy with regard to facility time and the continuing use of check-off.