In this debate Janet Finch-Saunders commented:

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. We appreciate that trade unions are valuable institutions in British society, and that many dedicated trade unionists have a strong history of working hard to represent their members, campaigning for improved safety at work and providing support to their members where needed. However, it is only fair that the rights of unions are balanced equally with the rights of our hard-working taxpayers, who rely so heavily on the delivery of our key public services. The aim of the UK Trade Union Act 2016 is to rebalance the interest of employers, employees and the public with the freedom of trade unions to strike. It has moved public services away from the threat—the threat—[Interruption.]

14:10

Y Llywydd / The Llywydd

Sorry, Janet. Can I just ask that the counter-argument, possibly, to this statement be allowed to be made and to be heard? Diolch, Janet.

14:10

Janet Finch-Saunders

[Continues.]—of being held to ransom by a small minority of union members who could disrupt the lives of millions of commuters, parents, workers and employers at short notice, and without clear support from the union’s members. Cabinet Secretary, if a teacher or a public service manager on high salaries—£40,000 or £50,000—strikes, many parents on much lower salaries are then affected. They’re the ones unable to send their children to school; they’re the ones unable to actually attend their own work; they’re the ones themselves losing pay. Is this not about affecting our—. Isn’t this just affecting our middle-class public sector workers at the expense and inconvenience of the lower socioeconomic members of our society?

Llywydd, it is completely sensible that such strikes only take place on the basis of a reasonable turnout and a substantial vote in favour by those able to vote. They should have that freedom of choice. Isn’t it the reality, though, that this isn’t about protecting our workers; this is simply about Welsh Labour and the Welsh Labour Government rewarding the trade union barons on whom your party relies so heavily, financially, especially during election times? I see a massive conflict of interest on the part of your party and this Government.

Prior to the UK Act, seven out of 10 trade unions, with their political funds in Great Britain, make absolutely no reference to the right to opt out of political funds on their membership forms. How fair is this on our hard-working public sector employees? Where is the freedom? Where is the choice? The UK Act requires trade unionists to opt in—a much fairer and a much more equal policy—to political funding, as has so successfully worked in Northern Ireland since the 1920s. Such measures bring trade unions in line with corporate donations, as outlined in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Cabinet Secretary, is this something that your proposed Bill will seek to repeal?

It is disappointing that, having voted through the LCM on the long-awaited Wales Bill only yesterday, you are already seeking to undermine this forthcoming new devolution settlement by introducing a Trade Union (Wales) Bill. I am not sure that my constituents in Aberconwy see this as one of their priorities, and they certainly don’t see it as one of yours for this Government to make. This is a blatant attempt to undermine a UK Parliament Act that is safeguarding our public workforce and seeks to avert major disruption to our vital public services.

Cabinet Secretary, the Llywydd has noted in her correspondence to the Chair of the Equalities, Local Government and Communities Committee that some or all of the operative provisions of this Bill might be ruled outside Assembly competence if the Bill was referred to the Supreme Court under section 112 of the Government of Wales Act 2006 or challenged after Royal Assent. So, I would like to ask you here, today: what actual cost-benefit analysis have you undertaken in bringing forward such legislation, particularly on a matter that, shortly, will be fully codified in law as being reserved at UK level? Has the civil service scoped the extent to which this legislation will have an impact on our people in Wales? And, what scrutiny have you even thought about or given to the impact on cross-border companies that may well now decide to do business outside Wales as a result of this?

Finally, Cabinet Secretary, will you advise why you think that acting to repeal a UK Parliament Act that safeguards ordinary working people from undemocratic strike action ensures greater transparency, and how taxpayers’ money being simply diverted from public services to union officials is a good idea for the people of Wales? I think it is a disgrace that you’re even considering bringing this Bill forward. I will be seeking to put amendments to it and I will certainly be opposing it.

The full transcript can be found here