Labour push for union reps to be paid to campaign on 'equalities'
Union reps would get paid time off to campaign on ‘equalities’ issues including trans rights, under Labour plans
Union officials would get paid time off to campaign on issues including trans rights, under Labour plans.
Keir Starmer’s party wants to give equalities reps statutory rights to conduct activism during working hours.
The move would benefit staff in the public sector, such as schools and the NHS, as well as some private businesses where unions are recognised.
Labour insists the proposals are geared towards ‘protecting people from harassment at work’, and would support new mothers, pregnant women and the disabled.
However, union guidelines suggest that campaigning on transphobia will also be covered.
Keir Starmer’s party wants to give equalities reps statutory rights to conduct activism during working hours
Union guidelines suggest that equalities reps would also be paid to campaign on trans issues
Tory MP Paul Bristow told the Sun: ‘The mask slips again on what a Labour Government would do.
‘I don’t think hard working families would want their tax spend on funding trade union reps campaigning on trans rights.
‘They should be doing the job they were hired to do.’
A Labour spokesman said the Tories should be backing the plans – due to be finalised for the election manifesto.
‘Where unions already have members, it beggars belief that reps dealing with issues like harassment and maternity discrimination don’t have the same freedoms as reps negotiating pay or tea and coffee facilities,’ the spokesman said.
‘Whilst most employers give them the support and time off they need to do this vital role, we want to ensure minimum national standards for what equalities reps can expect in terms of time to do their duty and facilities to support that.
‘This should always be reasonable, and have due regard for the needs of co-workers and managers, workload, health and safety issues and anything else that’s relevant.’
Source: Read Full Article