The Bermuda Trade Union Congress has backed trades union opposition to legislation designed to give non-members a vote to end representation.

Dwight Jackson, the BTUC general secretary, said the BTUC wished to “echo the sentiments” of Chris Furbert, president of the Bermuda Industrial Union, and Armell Thomas, president of the Bermuda Public Services Union.

Mr Jackson said: “The Labour Law Reform Committee consideration to codify all Bermuda's labour laws into one piece of legislation is best practice.

“However, the BTUC will stand with its partners against any proposal or legislation that impedes on unionism and the policy of decertification allowing non-union members in the process.”

He was speaking after Mr Furbert and Mr Thomas, condemned the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act last week.

The two said the proposal, approved by the House of Assembly last Friday, trampled on the rights of unions by allowing non-unionised members of a bargaining unit to vote on decertification.

Mr Furbert highlighted the walkouts by civil servants in 2015 when the then One Bermuda Alliance government wanted to extend furloughs for civil servants as a cost-cutting measure.

He warned that the same thing could happen over the new legislation.