Commenting on the announcement today by Local Government Minster Brandon Lewis for more regulations requiring councillors to declare their trade union membership, Heather Wakefield, UNISON Head of Local Government, said:
“UNISON fully supports the need for transparency across public life. However, these proposals look like a petty and pointless attempt to suggest that there is something improper about being a member of a trade union.
“There are no pecuniary interests in being a member of a trade union at the same time as being an elected councillor. This whole scheme looks less about transparency and more about Government prejudice against unions. In fact trade unions play a positive role in all aspects of local government life and are an integral part of negotiations across all councils.”