TRADE UNIONISTS are to doorstep Prime Minister David Cameron today with the simple demand that he meet with them to discuss a re-think of the Trade Union Bill.

The Tory leader has refused to meet TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady — even though he has repeatedly found time to hang out with representatives of the Sun newspaper and posses of business lobbyists.

Ms O’Grady will be joined by front-line workers as she hands in a 200,000-strong petition to officials at 10 Downing Street.

Ms O’Grady said: “The Trade Union Bill is the biggest attack on unions in a generation and threatens the fundamental right to strike.

“Despite repeated requests, the Prime Minister has yet to meet with unions in person and listen to our concerns.

“Today we are calling on him and other ministers to drop this divisive and unnecessary Bill before it does lasting damage to industrial relations.”

As well as imposing tougher thresholds on strike ballots, ministers plan to lift the ban on the use of scab labour and force unions to hand information on members to the authorities.

Government figures published last month estimate that the legislation will land unions with a £36 million bill over the next five years.

Midwife Natalie Linder, who will join the Downing Street lobby, said: “Unions are often the only defence people have when faced with unfair treatment at work.”

The hand-in came after Ms O’Grady addressed thousands of trade unionists in a “big workplace meeting” via videolink. 

Joined by comedian Eddie Izzard, she encouraged workers to lobby lords and bishops to amend the Bill.