Employment Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 1: 1: Before Clause 1, insert the following new Clause— ““ACAS: role in negotiation of procedural agreements Section 209 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (c. 52) (general duty to promote improvement in industrial relations) is amended by inserting at the end ““and to encourage the negotiation of agreements between employers and independent trade unions on procedures for the resolution of disputes at work””.”” The noble Baroness said: The amendment in my name and that of my noble friends is about the ACAS role in the negotiation of procedural agreements. Emphasis has been placed in discussion of this Bill on the desirability of negotiating settlements of disputes actually at the workplace. No one would disagree with this as a desirable objective, provided that the arrangements are fair and seen to be so by those participating. As a former trade union official, I believe that such arrangements can only be effective when they are the result of negotiations between the employer and an independent trade union. However, not every employer is able to come to such agreements without outside help. This is where ACAS has an important—indeed, essential—role. It is surely a function of ACAS to endeavour to help those who need this assistance. The Government may well say that this sort of function is readily understood and already accepted. However, it is important that it should be written into legislation as a function that ACAS simply must perform. It is not sufficient for it to be said that this is something to which ACAS must have regard, as indicated in previous legislation; it is a basic requirement. Much of this Employment Bill is about how workplace disputes are handled. This is therefore a key requirement, and should be in the Bill. Our wording acknowledges the role of independent trade unions in ensuring that procedural arrangements are in place and handled appropriately, and that cover is given to the members represented by them. This is an important requirement. I hope that the Government will be prepared to accept it. I beg to move.