2. 2. Statement: The Trade Union (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:31 pm on 18 January 2017.

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Photo of Bethan Sayed Bethan Sayed Plaid Cymru 2:31, 18 January 2017

Diolch. I would like to echo what Sian Gwenllian has already said, and also pick up on the points eloquently made by Dawn Bowden also in relation to the fact that I think some people in this Chamber don’t actually understand how decisions are made in trade unions. I’ve never been in a discussion where striking is a first resort—it’s always been, in fact, erring on the side of caution, and wanting to do anything but get to that particular action.

Obviously, we’ve seen that there is precedent here, in relation to the agricultural wages Bill, and as far as I can tell, the way is clear, therefore, for the Assembly to introduce this Bill. But there is always a ‘but’, and I do worry about how long any Act will last. So, my question is: can I seek assurances from the Welsh Government, if you have had assurances from your officials, that you’ve got to the point of understanding that it won’t be superseded by the Wales Bill? What is stopping the UK Government from passing further legislation that will have the effect of cancelling out this Bill? Has the Welsh Government any contingency plans for this eventuality? And are you justifying using time and resources on the basis that this could be realistic? Coming from comments that Janet Finch-Saunders has outlined today, I would predict that it could be very much something that the UK Government would look to doing, despite the fact that they have enough work on their plate to be looking to getting us a fair deal for Brexit.

I also would like to pick on the point briefly with regard to the competence issue. The Tories are saying that the competence is in question, but would you not agree with me that it is hypocritical for the Conservatives to say that it is not within competence, when they voted against it originally? Surely they should have abstained at that point if they thought that there was a question over competence that has now come to light.

Those are my questions here today. But I think what we need to remember in all of this is that it’s not about political barons, it’s not about whether money goes to whichever political party—it is about fighting for the rights and the welfare of those workers. And more fool us not to recognise that, because, whether you’re a member of a political party or not, we have to remember that people don’t take action lightly, and they’re doing it to support their families, to support their communities. And that is why this Bill is important—not some sort of convoluted political argument over whether it should happen or not.