text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Trade Union Bill - Third Reading
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  
  @ MP voted aye to require a 50% turnout in order to make a strike ballot valid and for other aspects of increased regulation of trade union activity. 
  @ MP voted no against requiring a 50% turnout in order to make a strike ballot valid and against other aspects of increased regulation of trade union activity. 
  
  The majority of MPs voted to introduce a minimum threshold of 50% turnout for all industrial action (strike) ballots and for other increased regulation of trade union activity. 
  
  MPs were considering the Trade Union Bill[1][2].
  
  The Bill provides for:
  
  * a minimum threshold of a 50% turnout in all industrial action ballots.
  * a minimum threshold of support, of 40%, for industrial action in specified important public services.
  * the nature of the dispute to have to be described on an industrial action ballot paper.
  * a requirement for positive consent from a union member for their funds to be applied to a political fund.
  * an extension of the notice period an employer must be given in advance of industrial action from 7 to 14 days.
  * membersâ agreement to a unionâs proposed industrial action to expire four months after the date of the ballot.
  *  trade unions to provide information about their political expenditure in their annual return.
  * ministers to require publication of information on time off taken by trade union representatives for trade union duties and activities in public sector bodies including the NHS, schools and the BBC.
  * powers enabling ministers to restrict trade union representatives' time off for trade union duties and activities .
  * greater powers for "Certification Officer"s to enforce regulations on industrial action, with protections for the confidentiality of the names and addresses of union members if they are handed to investigators who are not members of the Certification Officer's staff.
  * a requirement to identify a picket supervisor and for them to show their letter of authorisation to the police or anyone who asks to see it.
  
  
  The motion supported by the majority of MPs in this vote was:
  
  :That the Bill be now read the Third time.
  
  The support of the majority of MPs meant the Bill could continue on the path towards becoming law.
  
  The Bill was intended to give effect to commitments in the Conservative Partyâs manifesto for the 2015 General Election which promised to reform trade unions and to protect essential public services against strikes.[3].
  
  
  
  * [1] [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2015-16/tradeunion.html Parliament's webpage on the Trade Union Bill]
  * [2] [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbill/2015-2016/0058/en/16058en01.htm Explanatory Notes to the Trade Union Bill]
  * [3] [https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/manifesto2015/ConservativeManifesto2015.pdf Conservative Partyâs manifesto for the 2015 General Election]
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  