Reform of strike laws ‘smacks of 1930s Germany’, unions
Legislation expected to be published on Wednesday will propose a 50% turnout threshold for industrial action ballots, while in “core” public services such as health, transport, education and the fire service, 40% of those eligible to vote must back action.
Other measures are likely to see the removal of current restrictions on using agency workers to cover for strikers, so that employers will be able to “stick two fingers up” and bring in other staff to break any industrial action, say unions.
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Hide AdThe Certification Officer could be given new powers to put more “red tape burdens” on unions, while workers whose unions have a political fund will have to opt into it rather than opting out, which will hit Labour funding.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The Government is determined to strip workers of power at the negotiating table and give bosses the upper hand during disputes.”