From the Green Party Trade Union Group
In November, Green peers voted for an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill concerning zero hours contracts. The amendment – which would alter the proposed mechanism to protect workers currently on ‘zero-hours’ contracts – would weaken the proposed protections in the Bill.
Green peers should have voted against it, as Green MPs had done before and have done again today, when the Bill returned to the Commons.
We’ve spoken to the Green peers, and they recognise this. They’re determined to work closely with trade unions to provide the strongest possible protections for workers on ‘zero hours’ contracts in any future legislation.
The Employment Rights Bill never went nearly far enough. Its provisions on union access and rights to industrial action are full of loopholes, ripe for exploitation by big business.
Just last month, the Labour Government broke its promise to workers by refusing to give workers full rights from ‘day one’ – an about-face which all four Green MPs have signed Andy McDonald’s motion against. It is only determined pressure from trade unions that has prevented even more u-turns from a Labour government that is failing workers.
In this context, it is essential that we defend the Bill’s best reforms – and fight for something better. The Green Party’s Trade Union Liaison Officers, Greens in Green Party Trade Union Group and beyond are committed to working closely with our union comrades to do just that.
4 comments:
I thought the Greens were different allowing their members (even Peers) to judge legislation on its merits and vote accordingly - and not be simply told how to vote or to toe the line for political posturing. Clearly the Greens are as dictatorial as Labour who they constantly attack. Sounds like opposition (and posturing) for opposition sake. Publish if you dare!
The Green's are actually very democratic, but you obviously dont care
Hi, it is actually the oter way round. Greens are a membership-led party. Policies are made by Conference on a one person, one vote basis. You are right there is no whipping. The party rule is that when making a statement if it is contrary to prty policy you first state what the policy is and then state your personal view. It is not the party leadership that tells members how to vote but rank and file party members (in this case the Green Party Trade Union Group, of which I am a member) advise representatives when they think the representative has not voted in line with policy or the spirit of policy. They communicate this is a comradely and reasoned way. in this case the members of the Lords recognised the case made by the GPTU and trade unions. I was involved in a similar case some years ago over our conference policy opposing academisation. It was a mature and respectful discussion.
If the greens can grasp the excluded from councillor representation growth zones they can grasp power. An alternative to Reform policies needed in Brent.
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