Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when (a) he and (b) the Minister of State for Rail last met with ASLEF to discuss industrial action.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Negotiations must take place between the employer, which the Rail Delivery Group has done on behalf of the train operators, and the trade union over its dispute. The Government has no role in these negotiations and discussions. We remain committed to supporting the parties in the resolution of industrial action and the Secretary of State and I have previously met with all the rail unions to help facilitate discussions with the rail industry. ASLEF is the only trade union in a national level dispute, and we continue to urge them to put the industry’s offer to its members so that their dispute can be settled. On 13 May I met with ASLEF. I am also due to meet the RMT on 20 May.
Mentions:
1: Rowley, Alex (Lab - Mid Scotland and Fife) As such, I pay tribute to all those in the trade union movement who have made the case for this policy - Speech Link
2: Ruskell, Mark (Green - Mid Scotland and Fife) I thank Alex Rowley for his mention of the unions. I met the four unions again on Monday. - Speech Link
3: Leonard, Richard (Lab - Central Scotland) I remind members of my voluntary register of trade union interests, and I thank Mark Ruskell for bringing - Speech Link
4: Hyslop, Fiona (SNP - Linlithgow) I, too, recognise the role of trade unions in calling for this policy, as did Alex Rowley and others.Our - Speech Link
5: Hyslop, Fiona (SNP - Linlithgow) I have heard the calls to continue the policy from members across the Parliament, the rail trade unions - Speech Link
Asked by: John McDonnell (Labour - Hayes and Harlington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has had recent discussions with (a) maritime trade unions and (b) the UK Chamber of Shipping on the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011: post implementation review, published on 19 April 2024.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department has not had recent formal discussions with the maritime unions or the UK Chamber of Shipping on the post implementation review of the Equality Act 2010, published on 19 April 2024.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for the compliance and enforcement of the Equality Act 2010 regulations. Enforcement is not within the remit of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspectors. However, where the MCA receives credible evidence of potential offences under legislation outside of its enforcement responsibilities then this information will be shared with the appropriate agency or agencies.
The Department has not had recent discussions with the Equalities and Human Rights Commission regarding seafarers working in UK waters. We continue to liaise with our near European neighbours as well as working through international organisations to create a step change in seafarer welfare. The Department is reviewing the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 and, if necessary, will engage with the EHRC subject to the outcome of the call for evidence and review.
Asked by: Chapman, Maggie (Scottish Green Party - North East Scotland)
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its potential impact on the delivery of emergency services, transport and health services in Scotland, what its position is on whether the UK Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 undermines (a) trade unions and (b) the fair work principle of effective worker voice, and whether it plans to cooperate with this legislation.
Answered by Gray, Neil - Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care
The Scottish Government remains strongly opposed to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and any associated secondary legislation which affects devolved services. This legislation seeks to undermine legitimate trade union activity and does not respect the Scottish Government’s Fair Work principles. We should be working with trade unions to reach fair and reasonable settlements respecting the legitimate interest of workers, not seeking to curb their right to strike.
Under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act it is a matter for individual employers in the affected sectors to decide whether to issue work notices to trade unions specifying the workforce required to meet minimum service levels for a particular strike period. We have no intention of directing any employers within their control to issue work notices and will do all we can to oppose this appalling piece of anti-worker and anti-trade union legislation, which will undermine not enhance industrial relations.
Jan. 24 2024
Source Page: Correspondence regarding ScotZEB 2 scheme: EIR releaseFound: This remains subject to full engagement an d consultation with trade unions, full time officials and
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to Section 4 of his Department's dataset entitled Seafarers in the UK Shipping Industry: 2023, published on 22 February 2024, what discussions he is having with (a) employers in the shipping industry, (b) trade unions and (c) the Maritime Skills Commission on maritime apprenticeships in the UK shipping industry.
Answered by Guy Opperman - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department works with the Maritime Skills Alliance who design and promote qualifications and apprenticeships for the UK’s maritime sector. The Secretary to the Maritime Skills Alliance is a commissioner on the Maritime Skills Commission (MSC), which also includes trade union and employer representation. Apprenticeships have been discussed by the MSC, primarily in relation to the Ratings Review, which was published in September 2023. Maritime Minister Lord Davies discussed the Ratings Review with the MSC Chair on 27th February 2024.
The Department remains committed to ensuring seafarers have the qualifications they need, and their training is future proofed through the Cadet Training and Modernisation Programme and implementation of the Ratings Review.
Oct. 16 2009
Source Page: Employment Relations Research Series no 104, The Union Modernisation Fund-round one: final evaluation report, Oct 2009. Incl. appendices. 180 p.Found: Unions that received funding represented 51 per ce nt of total trade union membership.
Found: Trade unions and industrial relations
Correspondence Feb. 29 2024
Committee: Net Zero, Energy and Transport CommitteeFound: and Strategy • Participation • Connectivity (inc, 100% Broadband & Connecting Scotland) Trade
Mentions:
1: Martin, Gillian (SNP - Aberdeenshire East) Petroineos and trade unions are also members of the Grangemouth future industry board just transition - Speech Link
2: Robison, Shona (SNP - Dundee City East) Our negotiation and on-going dialogue with the trade unions is important to us, but we have to ensure - Speech Link
3: Fairlie, Jim (SNP - Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) The transport secretary will write to the member with an answer to that question. - Speech Link