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Frances O’Grady takes battle for unions to House of Lords

TUC leader Frances O’Grady swore yesterday to continue the fight against the Tories’ Trade Union Bill despite it being passed by MPs.

The Bill received a procedural first reading in the Lords last night after the Tories won the final Commons vote by 305 to 271.

Ms O’Grady admitted that the defeat was “disappointing” but said: “The campaign against the Bill is far from over. We will continue to oppose it as it goes through the House of Lords.”

Ms O’Grady said she found cause for optimism in Tuesday’s final Commons debate.

The government was forced to delay by a year changes to the check-off system under which many members’ trade union dues are taken directly from their salaries on pay day.

And Tory backbenchers David Davis and Jeremy Lefroy had attempted to scrap the worst elements of the Bill through amendments.

“It was welcome to see politicians from many parties recognise the damage it could do,” Ms O’Grady said.

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