Councillors from Aberdeen’s ruling Labour group and opposition SNP group will put forward near identical motions condemning the UK government’s proposed Trade Union Bill.
The motions from Labour leader Jenny Laing and SNP leader Jackie Dunbar – which will be heard at the next full council meeting on Wednesday – attack the bill and vow not to bring in agency staff to break council strikes.
Ms Laing’s motion reads: “Council notes the Conservative government is proposing a Trade Union Bill that will restrict the ability of this council to engage in good industrial relations practices with our workforce and their representatives.”
While Ms Dunbar’s reads: “Council values the excellent and mutually respectful working relationship which it has with both the workforce and their trade unions”.
The bill, which is making its way through parliament, will curtail the amount of time members can spend on union duties at work, known as facility time, and end union subs coming off pay at the point of payroll, a practice known as check off.
Employers will also be able to bring in agency workers to cover for strikers.
A Department for Business, Innovation and Skills spokeswoman said: “People have the right to know that the services on which they and their families rely will not be disrupted at short notice by strikes supported by a small proportion of union members.
“The ability to strike is important but it is only fair that there should be a balance between the interests of union members and the needs of people who depend on their services.”