RCN members meeting MPs to lobby against Trade Union Bill

RCN members are meeting MPs in Westminster to lobby against the government’s Trade Union Bill.

The college argues that the bill will limit the amount of time trade union officials can spend on their duties while at work.

In a statement, the RCN said the legislation would ‘threaten productivity and potentially impose unnecessary costs on the NHS at a time when trusts are struggling to balance the books’.

The cost to the public purse could increase if union representative are less able promote safe work environments, reduce staff turnover and and improve productivity, said the statement. 'The proposals in the bill, which are aimed at saving public money, are likely to, in fact, have the opposite effect,' said the RCN.

The bill includes clauses that would allow public sector employers to cap the amount of paid time off trade union officials can have to carry out their union duties.

Representatives from trade unions are lobbying MPs as part of an event organised by the Trades Union Congress.   

The government's business secretary Sajid Javid has said the bill would ‘stop the endless threat of strike action hanging over hardworking people’.

The bill will next be debated in the House of Commons on November 10.