Unions attack public sector strike law reforms

Public sector unions have attacked government plans to make it more difficult for them to call strikes in key parts of the public sector.

Under changes in a Bill proposed by business secretary Sajid Javid strikes would be permitted only if there is at least a 50% turnout in the ballot to authorise them.

In the health, education, fire, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning sectors there would additionally be a requirement of 40% of all those eligible to vote to support the action before a strike call became legally valid.

There would also be a four month time limit for industrial action and “greater scrutiny and controls” over ‘facility time’ for those working full time on union matters but paid by public employers.

Javid said: “These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when a clear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all other possibilities have been explored.”

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the “unfair changes” in the Bill would “make it much harder for nurses, teaching assistants, midwives and other public sector workers to ever strike for a pay rise or challenge the behaviour of bad employers”.

Prentis added: “These spiteful proposals will deny millions of ordinary workers a voice at work. Strikes are rare and the decision to lose a day’s pay is never an easy one – especially for public sector workers who have suffered many years of pay restraint.

The GMB union predicted the changes would “poison the relationship between workers and their managers and will lead to even more trouble”.

General secretary Paul Kenny said: “The Bill removes all incentives for employers to heed their own workers and settle disputes.”