“The DUP's offer to 'split' the Good Jobs Bill into two separate pieces of legislation is not a benevolent compromise,” Gerry Carroll said. “It’s nothing more than a classic wrecking operation.”
“For months, the business lobby has worked overtime to water this legislation down before it even reaches the Assembly floor. Now the DUP has done their bidding, demanding that the one provision bosses fear most be ripped out: the right of trade unions to access the workplace. If their employment practices are so good, what have they got to hide?”
“The claim that this needs more scrutiny is an obvious delay tactic. Westminster passed its Employment Rights Bill with full scrutiny in just over a year. Where there's a will, there's a way..."
“Emma Little-Pengelly calls union access 'aggressive and expansionist.' That is simply false. This is a modest, regulated model the Executive already signed up to in a policy paper. To turn around at the eleventh hour and demand its removal is disingenuous nonsense. Trade union rights are not an optional add-on; they are fundamental to the entire Bill.”
“The claim that this needs more scrutiny is an obvious delay tactic. Westminster passed its Employment Rights Bill with full scrutiny in just over a year. Where there's a will, there's a way. But this Executive has shown time and time again that they have no political will to tackle the worst crises facing working class communities.”
“Caoimhe Archibald has already capitulated once, exempting smaller businesses from union access. Workers in small workplaces need representation just as much - often more, because they have less power alone. You don't face down bullies by retreating.”
“Workers in the north are among the least protected on these islands. This Bill must go to the Assembly immediately, in full”.