Volunteering: unions need not apply

The Conservatives last month announced that, under a Tory government, workers in firms with over 250 staff would be entitled to three days’ paid volunteering leave.

The TUC welcomed the announcement, pointing out that “trade unions are the UK’s biggest voluntary groups”.

It added: “This new right will give every union member a guaranteed three days for time off to get involved with union activities.”

However, hours after the announcement, a Conservative Party spokesperson said unions would be excluded from using the leave, and that a trade union ban would be written into the policy’s legislation.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “If the Conservatives insist people can only help registered charities that means you couldn’t lend a hand at your local school, unless it is a private school with charitable status.”

https://www.tuc.org.uk/industrial-issues/conservative-volunteering-plans-getting-more-confused-minute-says-tuc

https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-f648-Days-off-idea-turns-into-PR-flop-for-Tories