§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What their assessment is of the role to be played by trade unions in securing the support of employees for improved productivity and essential restructuring; and what is their policy towards European Union proposals for information and consultation systems. [HL959]
§ Lord Sainsbury of TurvilleThe Government believe that trade unions have an important role to play in fostering a partnership culture in the workplace, which will contribute to matters such as improved productivity and support for restructuring. The Government have shown their support for the role of trade unions through the provisions on trade union recognition in the Employment Relations Act 1999. The Government have accepted the EU directive on European Works Councils and the directive supplementing the Statute for a European Company with regard to the involvement of employees. The Government see no need for the proposed directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community, which is difficult to reconcile with subsidiarity and would cut across member state traditions to no benefit.