“Old-fashioned” practice of state-run union subscription payments to stop

The practice, known as “check off”, allows members to pay their union contributions through payroll.

Ministers say the practice is outdated because it was introduced at a time when many people didn’t have bank accounts and before direct debits or digital payments existed.

Minister for the Cabinet Office and paymaster general Matthew Hancock said that public resources should not be used to support the collection of trade union subscriptions.

The proposal will put an end to a practice whereby trade union membership fees were automatically transferred straight from the salaries of approximately 3.8 million unionized workers, or 54 percent of the public sector workforce, who now will have to organize for the payment of their union subscriptions individually, The Telegraph reported.

“We are bringing greater transparency to employees – making it easier for them to choose whether or not to pay subscriptions and which union to join”.

Gail Cartmail, Unite assistant general secretary said: “This is another spiteful measure from the Conservatives at a time when working people need unions like never before”.

The TUC said the government was “determined to re-balance power in the workplace, so that workers lose their voice and their rights”.

Under the plans, the Government will stop trade union subscription fees from being taken directly from people’s salaries.

“David Cameron has positioned himself as the prime minister for bad bosses, ready to chip away at paid holidays, rest breaks and maternity rights in EU negotiations”.

“Anyone a job in the public sector must wonder why the Government dislikes them so much that it is set on a series of such spiteful attacks on them through their unions”.

TaxPayers’ Alliance chief executive Jonathan Isaby welcomed the “long overdue” announcement, adding: “It is simply not the business of public sector employers to be processing the union dues of their staff and it is shocking how many bodies have been providing this service at absolutely no cost to the unions who are benefiting”.

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “Like other moves against trade union democracy by this Government, this is totally unnecessary and vindictive. Attacks on unions are attacks on working people too”.

Unions dispute Government claims about the cost of check-off and claim ending it is part of a Conservative anti-union agenda which will cost unions more and cause many memberships to lapse.

Brain Strutton, national officer of the GMB, asked whether the Government was “hell bent on destroying trade unions”.

The new Tory plans will lead to further clashes with the unions, which have already threatened illegal “wildcat” industrial action over anti-strike laws.

They also estimate that it will save employers more than £6 million a year in administration costs.