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Bill: Trade Unions Ballot Act
Details
Submitted by[?]: Rutanian Democratic Forum
Status[?]: passed
Votes: This is an ordinary bill. It requires more yes votes than no votes. This bill will not pass any sooner than the deadline.
Voting deadline: January 2598
Description[?]:
| This decision, whether to hold ballot before going on strike or not, should be left entirely to trade unions and their members, let they vote for their acts and statutes and determine if they want to hold a ballot. |
Proposals
Article 1
Proposal[?] to change Trade union strike ballots.
Old value:: Trade unions must by law hold a ballot of all members before going on strike, majority approval of those that vote is needed from its members.
Current: Trade unions must by law hold a ballot of all members before going on strike, majority approval of those that vote is needed from its members.
Proposed: Trade unions are not required by law to hold a ballot before striking.
Debate
These messages have been posted to debate on this bill:
| Date | 17:00:54, June 24, 2008 CET | From | Federal Rutanian Libertarian Union | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | Absolutely not! Removing democratic processes from trade unions only increases their intimidatory powers on its members and will in turn further the autocratic means of union bosses. |
| Date | 18:34:09, June 24, 2008 CET | From | Labour Party | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | We all support ballots, but the problem is that they take time to prepare and organise, and when jobs are on the line in the immediate future, and every hour counts, it is sometimes necessary that local unions take immediate action, rather than waiting for a national ballot. Also, members who may not lose their jobs could potentially out-ballot those whose future is in danger if a ballot must be held of "all" members as the current law states. I ask the LCP to consider this, and also not fall into the trap of believing in the 'autocratic union bosses'. The reality is that unions run internal elections and have National Executive Committees which hold power, with a General Secretary - not a sole union boss. Some of the most militant of Union leaders and executives (see the RMT) are also the ones with the most activism and highest support for industrial action amongst members (concerned with passenger safety and the conditions of migrant workers for example in the case of the RMT). But, as I say, those in less militant unions, should not be denied the right to strike by having to hold a ballot of "all" members which, considering the time to organise, and the numbers of workers potentially unaffected, could cost them their livlihoods and the ability to pay their bills, clothe their families and put a roof over their head. |
| Date | 21:02:04, June 24, 2008 CET | From | Rutanian Democratic Forum | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | LCP, you misunderstood! The point of this proposal is this: Trade Unions are organized groups of people. Government cannot and will not interfere in any citizens' organization and determine their rules. Therefore, Government should not interfere in internal rules of Trade Unions and prescribe with law something what they must do. All members of trade unions are free citizens of this country, and they can by themselves decide what they want to do. If they want to hold ballots before strike, let them, if they don't want to, why should government oppose ? |
| Date | 02:47:56, June 25, 2008 CET | From | Labour Party | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | Fair point - if we aren't going to regulate the economy, why should we regulate trade unions? It is simple hypocrisy. |
| Date | 07:49:16, June 25, 2008 CET | From | Federal Rutanian Libertarian Union | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | Part of us can see your reasons as to why this is a good bill, but ... the LCP remains unconvinced. |
| Date | 07:58:57, June 25, 2008 CET | From | Federal Rutanian Libertarian Union | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | That being said, Labour Party - the LCP considers the Trade Union to be somewhat a monopoly on the labour force and we do openly wish to diminish their powers because of this via legislation such as this. |
| Date | 11:27:01, June 25, 2008 CET | From | Rutanian Democratic Forum | To | Debating the Trade Unions Ballot Act |
| Message | Trade Unions represent workers and have their role, but the purpose of this law is just to give them an opportunity of genuine, grassroots democracy. |
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Voting
| Vote | Seats | |||
| yes |
Total Seats: 277 | |||
| no | Total Seats: 247 | |||
| abstain | Total Seats: 75 |
| Random fact: Players using inactive accounts and/or accounts from outside nations may only propose bills and/or contribute to discussions, whether IC (in-character) or OOC (out-of-character) with the general consent of the players in the nation. |
| Random quote: "Erotic politicians, that's what we are. We're interested in anything about revolt, disorder, chaos and activity that appears to have no meaning." Jim Morrison |