A COUNCIL has accused the Government of eroding civil liberties in trying to change trade union rules.

A motion criticising the Government’s Trade Union Bill won the overwhelming support of a full Durham County Council meeting today (Wednesday, December 9).

Labour councillor Jane Brown’s motion said the Bill would undermine constructive employment relations and was part of a “disturbing trend to erode civil liberties and inhibit the right to speak out or protest against the government”.

It continued: “The Conservative government’s Trade Union Bill is a politically-motivated attack on trade unions and could have negative consequences for working people across the country and in society.”

Deputy council leader Alan Napier called the Bill vindictive, ideological and counter-productive.

However, Tory group leader Richard Bell said it was an attempt to ensure unions go on strike only as a last resort and balance the right of workers to take industrial action with the right of others to continue to work.

Liberal Democrats failed in an attempt to force an early vote on the issue.

Several Labour councillors made impassioned speeches in support of the motion.

The Lib Dem group walked out in protest at the length of the debate.

The motion was passed by 89 votes to four.

Two other motions on the agenda, in support of Teaching Assistants and the Durham Light Infantry Museum, went unheard due to the meeting running out of time.