18 January 2016

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon addressed Unite Scotland’s first ever policy conference at the weekend.

FM @NicolaSturgeon addresses the @UniteScotland conference, reaffirming @scotgov opposition to the Trade Union Bill pic.twitter.com/MB30lRV56v

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) January 17, 2016

Addressing delegates in Glasgow, the First Minister set out her opposition to the UK government’s Trade Union Bill.

The proposed UK government Bill would make it more difficult for unions to call strikes and, if it became law, would be “an attack on the fundamental freedoms of trade unionists”.

FM: 'No cooperation or involvement with #TUBill should it ever become law'. #uspc16

— Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) January 17, 2016

The First Minister said:

“This is a Bill which, in my view, would never have been proposed, let alone passed, in the Scottish Parliament. In fact, the last time the Parliament debated the bill, we voted against it by 104 votes to 14. That’s why I believe so strongly the power over employment and trade unions law should be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

“The Bill is an attack on the fundamental freedoms of trade unionists. It encapsulates a world view that this Government doesn’t recognise and for which wider Scottish society has no sympathy. The Trade Union Bill sees unions as obstacles to economic growth rather than as partners in progress. As a result, the Bill’s provisions – on curbing facility time and the abolition of check-off – are draconian and deeply damaging to good workplace relations. They are also completely unnecessary – in Scotland, days lost due to strike action have declined by 84 per cent since 2007.

“The Scottish Government will oppose the trade union bill vigorously and vehemently. We will continue to argue against it at every opportunity in Westminster. We will continue to press for Scotland to be exempted from its provisions. And we will never willingly co-operate with its implementation. For example, we will not employ agency workers in the event of a strike. We will do everything we possibly can to defeat and frustrate the bill.”

FM: '#TuBill should be, must be and will be opposed at every single turn.' #uspc16

— Unite Scotland (@UniteScotland) January 17, 2016

You can read a full version of the First Minister’s speech on the Scottish Government website.