Trade union de-recognition at GB Railfreight

That this House is concerned that employers are exploiting loopholes in the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) process to de-recognise trade unions; condemns this practice which undermines good industrial relations; notes that workers in the privately owned and operated rail freight sector are regularly affected by TUPE processes; is alarmed that GB Railfreight has used the TUPE process to pursue de-recognition of a trade union on at least three occasions, most recently after being awarded the Imerys contract for china clay freight transport; further notes that the trade unions’ rights of groundstaff, fitters and other non-driver grades have been undermined by GB Railfreight during TUPE processes at freight yards across the country; also notes that GB Railfreight receives public funding from the Government and believes that it is unacceptable for companies in receipt of Government grants to de-recognise trade unions; agrees with the RMT Union that the TUPE Regulations must be reviewed and strengthened as a matter of urgency; and calls on the Government to take action to protect rail freight workers and trade union rights for workers subject to TUPE processes across the economy, in line with the next steps to Make Work Pay.