SCOTTISH TUC branded a new clause of the Tories’ vicious Trade Union Bill tabled yesterday as a “nakedly discriminatory action” against public-sector trade unions.

The clause will ban public-sector employers from offering check-off arrangements to staff, a system whereby trade union members have their union dues deducted directly from the payroll rather than collected separately.

STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said that the measures meant it “could not be clearer” that the Tories are seeking to “make it harder for employees to maintain union membership and to wrap up unions in red tape to divert our reps from their core task of looking after members.”

Mr Smith slated the Tories for deliberately discriminating against trade unions as the ban will not include other payroll deductions such as charity payments, pension and cycle schemes.

He dismissed the Tories’ claim to be saving the taxpayer money as it is a matter for the Scottish government and local authorities in Scotland to determine how public money is spent.

And he accused the Tories of being ignorant of the fact that many unions pay a subscription to use the check-off facility.

Mr Smith welcomed the recent announcement that all Scottish local authorities will oppose and defy the Bill, saying: “The prospect of a major stand-off is now looming between Westminster and the Scottish government and local authorities backed by trade unions and the Scottish public.”

The Scottish government has pledged its opposition to the Bill in order to “protect our approach of working in partnership with unions” according to a statement.

Fair Work Secretary Roseanna Cunningham has formally requested that Scotland be excluded from the Bill.

But the Scottish government has yet to confirm whether it would oppose it if it becomes law.