Tories step up attack on facilities

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/tories- ... ities.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

A debate in Westminster Hall this morning saw Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, make an attack on trade union facilities under the guise of calling for 'transparency, accountability and fairness'.

Trade union facility time is a crucial union resource and if seriously undermined could acutely jeopardise the ability of unions to represent their members effectively.

The Government, backed by big business and anti-union organisations such as the TaxPayers' Alliance, is increasingly attacking the trade unions on a number of fronts, including seeking further restrictions on strike action and the removal of facility time for trade union representatives - who argue the case for better pay and improved conditions.

The Tory MP paid lip service to the 'historic role' trade unions have played in 'improving and defending' workers rights, referencing her family's roots in a Northern mill town, but went on to question whether there was 'the right balance' between effective representation for trade union members and 'value for the tax payer'.

She spoke against public funding for facilities, buildings and the 'check off' system, questioning whether the tax payer should pay for these and pointing to the current economic climate to try and justify her argument.

The trade union case was strongly made by a range of speakers who repeatedly and robustly argued for the many benefits of facilities in particular and of trade unions more generally, and pointed to the money saved in days lost to illness and injury thanks to union rep work in key areas such as health and safety.

It was also stressed that staff are paid to do this important union work because it provides a door that management can knock on in the knowledge that they are talking to someone who can speak for employees with authority.

The key point was made that the Tory Party were putting the false argument that the only way to solve current economic problems is by removing the rights of workers - and Fiona Bruce drew attention to the fact that the Prime Minister is backing the recently formed Trade Union Reform Campaign (TURC) that aims to end all taxpayer subsidies to the trades unions.

CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "We are increasingly seeing Tory attacks on the rights of trade unionists and working people, using the economy as an excuse. We will not allow the erosion of these hard-won rights but will fight to defend them."

You can watch the full debate on Parliament TV.http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Playe ... 1&wfs=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DGP1]

A debate in Westminster Hall this morning saw Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, make an attack on trade union facilities

I'm a bit disappointed, I never knew she was a raving Tory

[TrueBlueTerrier]

A debate in Westminster Hall this morning saw Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, make an attack on trade union facilities

I'm a bit disappointed, I never knew she was a raving Tory

Your fantasies are safe, if a little disturbing looking at the state of the naughty room today.

This is the MP Fiona Bruce.

f.bruce_.jpg

[Lounge Lizard]

A debate in Westminster Hall this morning saw Fiona Bruce, MP for Congleton, make an attack on trade union facilities

I'm a bit disappointed, I never knew she was a raving Tory

Your fantasies are safe, if a little disturbing looking at the state of the naughty room today.

This is the MP Fiona Bruce.

f.bruce_.jpg

And both are anagrams of ;
Aerobic Fun ,
Bio Furnace ,
Fair Bounce ,
Fen Caribou , and
Unicef Boar .

[POSTMAN]

Am i allowed to use this.. :dcfo

[DGP1]

Am i allowed to use this.. :dcfo

Don't know but I'm still having fantasies about Fiona Bruce

[DGP1]

Am i allowed to use this.. :dcfo

Don't know but I'm still having fantasies about Fiona Bruce

I mean the pretty one off the TV and not the odious Tory one