§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what representations he has received in favour of the trade union activity as a stabilising and helpful force in the workplace; [15657]
(2) what is his policy towards the retaining of union representatives experienced in understanding the employers' and employees' positions in a workplace; [15659]
(3) what assessment he has made as to the benefits for employers and employees of the maintenance of union facilities at workplaces; [15658]
(4) what action he takes to discourage employers from phasing out fair and legitimate union activity. [15660]
822W
§ Mr. OppenheimMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet trade union delegations periodically and listen to their views on their role. The Government believe that unions can make a useful contribution on issues close to the workplace, but to do so they must be accountable, well informed and able to speak with knowledge and authority. However, the Government also believe employers and employees should be free to conduct their own affairs with the minimum of interference. Individual workers must be free to decide whether to be members of trade unions and the law protects them from dismissal or acts of victimisation on grounds of trade union membership or activities. Employers must be free to decide whether or not to recognise trade unions for bargaining purposes.
Where an employer chooses to recognise an independent trade union, employees who are members of that union become entitled to reasonable time off during working hours to take part in any trade union activity. Employees who are officials of that union become entitled to reasonable time off with pay to carry out certain trade union duties and undergo training relevant to those duties.