MPs should support union ballot bill

We are asking MPs to support the lawful industrial action (minor errors) private member's bill on 22 October. There has been a stream of rhetoric from business organisations and rightwing thinktanks on the need to reform trade union law. Yet taking strike action is always a last resort for union members and only done when they feel they have no alternative. Away from the political grandstanding, the reality is that British workers already have the most restrictive trade union laws in Europe, and recent court rulings have made matters even worse. Judges striking down overwhelming secret ballots in favour of industrial action on minor technical grounds, which would have had no effect on the outcome of the ballot, mean that the fundamental democratic right to withdraw our labour is now under threat. This private member's bill is moderate, focused and fair. It will mean that working people struggling to defend services and employment – and who have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action – will not have their democratic will overruled on technical legal grounds. Tony Woodley, Joint general secretary, Unite Paul Kenny, General secretary, GMB Brendan Barber, General secretary, TUC Keith Norman, General secretary, Aslef Gerry Morrissey, General secretary, Bectu Ronnie Draper, General secretary, BFAWU Michael Leahy, General secretary, Community Billy Hayes, General secretary, CWU Chris Kitchen, General secretary, NUM Gerry Doherty, General secretary, TSSA Alan Ritchie, General secretary, Ucatt Dave Prentis, General secretary, Unison Derek Simpson, Joint general secretary, Unite John Hannett, General secretary, Usdaw