Trade unions gain power to expel extremists
Trade unions have today gained the power to expel racists and xenophobes from their ranks.
Changes in the law will enable trade unions to expel individuals for political activities contrary to their rules or objectives.
The new rules are part of the Employment Relations Act 2004, and reflect concerns that unions have been left open to legal action for expelling politically motivated extremists.
Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe explained: “Unions have been unfairly penalised by the law when acting against political agitators who join their ranks and then proceed to undermine their policies.
“In particular, there have been notable cases where unions have been required to pay large amounts of compensation to political extremists who peddle racist and xenophobic views, which are repugnant to the vast majority of trade union members.”
Before this change unions were unable to consider membership of a political party in deciding whether to refuse or withdraw membership from a worker.
This meant that unions campaigning against racism in the workplace were unable to prevent members of parties considered to be racist from joining their ranks.
Tribunals also had a minimum compensation level set at £6,000 for anyone excluded or expelled where party membership was a factor. This minimum has been removed, and tribunals may now use discretion in such cases.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber welcomed the change, saying: “The TUC and unions have lobbied hard for greater powers to tackle racists and fascists who infiltrate trade unions, and we welcome the support that the Government has shown us on this issue. From now on unions will be able to refuse to admit and expel from their membership those whose conduct contravenes their rules on equality and diversity.”
