Automatic union fee payments row in UK

The British government has unveiled a new plan to stop automatic deduction of union subscription fee from public sector workers’ salaries.

Ministers say a change in the “outdated” process would give workers more control on their salaries. The proposal would allow union members such as civil servants, teachers and nurses to arrange for the fees.

“In the 21st Century era of direct debits and digital payments, public resources should not be used to support the collection of trade union subscriptions”, Cabinet Office Minister Matthew Hancock said.