Yvette Cooper to fight Government's Trade Union Bill arguing that it contravenes human-rights law
'I am not going to stand back while this Government takes aim at hard-fought workers’ rights'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Labour leadership contender Yvette Cooper is considering legal action against the Government’s new Trade Union Bill, arguing that it contravenes human-rights law.
The Bill curbs the amount of money that Labour could receive from the unions, traditionally the party’s biggest source of funding.
It would also make strikes incredibly difficult to undertake because they would only be legal if 50 per cent of the membership voted in a ballot. Currently a strike can go ahead if a union obtains a simple majority of those who vote.
Ms Cooper is expected to say: “I am not going to stand back while this Government takes aim at hard-fought workers’ rights and abuses their small majority to try to destroy the Labour Party in opposition.
This Bill is an ideological attempt to restrict the trade-union and Labour movements’ ability to advance or defend the interests of ordinary people and their families. If the Tories force it through, we need to be ready to take the unusual move of challenging them in the courts.”
Her legal advice is that the legislation would undermine freedom of association as set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments