Conservative plans for three extra days of volunteering leave would block public sector staff from putting in further time at trade unions, it has emerged.
Party leader David Cameron said measures granting a trio of extra days for staff to undertake volunteering work would see as much as half the UK workforce assisting registered charities.
He said the move marked a ‘double win’ for the economy by creating a ‘more motivated workforce’ and strengthening ‘communities and the bonds between us’.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) originally welcomed the plans, stating the measures would ‘give every union member a guaranteed three days for time off to get involved with union activities’.
However a Conservative Party spokesperson later confirmed the policy ‘definitely won’t include trade unions’, with legislation expected to specifically exclude unions from using the leave.
Responding to the latest announcement, TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady accused the Conservatives of publishing an ‘approved state list of volunteering opportunities’.
‘One wonders whether they will go on to ban help at food banks, outlaw giving advice to workers on zero-hours contracts and stop people volunteering for community wind power projects.
‘If the Conservatives insist people can only help registered charities that means you couldn’t lend a hand at your local school, unless it is a private school with charitable status.’
