Trade unionists to lobby bill

I am very proud to be a member of a trade union and have been for approaching 40 years, but I am very distressed to what I feel is a ‘war’ on people just like me from this government.

My union has supported me while at work during some extremely tough years. It has been difficult for many to cope with lower wages and rising living costs, but the union has helped to keep standards and safety at work, and has fought tirelessly to save jobs.

I do not understand why this government is now planning new laws that attack the vital work unions do. Instead, they should be thanking working people and their unions for putting our shoulders to the wheel during the recession, for working cooperatively with employers to find solutions at work.

My very real fear is that the government’s hatred of unions will result in very bad laws for the British people.

Their appalling trade union bill will not modernise industrial relations, as the government claims, but will make disputes more bitter.

Were the government truly interested in improving things at work, then they would not be undermining basic rights – and were they truly interested in raising turnouts in strike ballots, they would be bringing modern, secure voting to work places.

As a proud Brit, I am deeply shocked by moves to take apart our f undamental f reedoms. The land of Magna Carta should not be legislating to make lawful strikes all but impossible, and our government should not be seeking to silence people on social media.

N o b o d y s e e ms t o wa n t this Bill – not the police, the HR managers, nor civil rights groups. It has no place in modern day Britain.

It should be scrapped, now. Hence I will be travelling to London on November 2 to l obby Scarborough and Whitby MP Robert Goodwill to ask him to support his Scarborough constituents on the day the third reading of this anti trade union bill takes place.

I will also be a member of the thousands of trade unionists at a rally in the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster.

Cllr Tony Randerson Labour, Eastfield Ward a beautiful autumn morning, the event showcased Scarborough at its best and doubtless brought much-needed business into the town. All in all, it was a great event, thoroughly enjoyed by participants and spectators alike .

Mike Padgham, managing director, St Cecilia’s Care Services

Eastfield further up the ridge where pine trees (some of them native) are being felled leaving the considerable debris cluttering the ground. A misguided plan this, as the land which is adjacent to a narrow path and farmland is already subject to erosion.

The Scarborough warni ng here i s all that glistens i s n o t go l d ! B e wa r e o f s o called Woodland Enterprise projects.

Jayne Anne Strutt, Save Raincliffe Woods, Scalby Road, Scarborough