Britain plans further union constraints

Press, 26 February 1987, Page 7

Britain plans further union constraints

NZPA-Reuter London Britain’s Conservative Government said yesterday it was drafting new legislation to curb trade union power and reinforce individual workers’ rights. The Employment Minister, Kenneth Clarke, told Parliament the proposals included the creation of a special commissioner for trade union affairs; the removal of legal immu--nity for unions trying to enforce closed shops; and safeguards for a right of workers to cross official picket-lines. Secret ballots would be introduced for the elec-

tion of union executives, and union members would have a right to see their union’s accounts on request. Mr Clarke said the moves were part of a series of measures introduced by the Government which had seen the lowest number of work days lost due to strikes in a generation. Since coming to power in 1979, the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, has taken a tough stahce toward the unions, limiting picketing and transforming industrial laws to make it harder to strike. The new proposals

come just three weeks after the collapse of a year-long union battle against the Australianborn publisher, Rupert Murdoch, which ended with the two print unions involved suing for peace. Two years ago, a yearlong strike by coal-miners also collapsed, dealing a strong blow to the labour movement Trade unions will have two months to respond to the draft, which Government officials said would become a bill before September or would be incorporated into the Conservative party’s manifesto if Mrs Thatcher decides to call elections before.