UK: Legislation to curb strikes introduced in parliament

The British government has introduced its legislation this week that will aim to curb strikes at a time of major industrial disputes. The legislation will require key public services to maintain a minimum level of service during strikes by unions.

On Tuesday, the government unveiled its legislation that will curb strikes, requiring key public services to maintain minimum service levels amidst ongoing strikes. Under the new legislation, the government intends to consult on maintaining minimum safety levels for fire, ambulance, and rail services. Other key public services include health, education, nuclear decommissioning, and border security.

“The British people need to know that when they have a heart attack, a stroke, or a serious injury, that an ambulance will turn up and that if they need hospital care, they have access to it,” business minister Grant Shapps told parliament. “I’m introducing a bill that will give government power to ensure the vital public services will have to maintain a basic function by delivering minimum safety levels ensuring that lives and livelihoods are not lost.”

The legislation comes at a time when the United Kingdom is facing a surge of industrial action being taken as pay increases still fall short of keeping up with a 40-year high inflation rate. Nurses, ambulance drivers, and rail workers are among those who have staged a walkout. Talks between key sectors and ministers took place on Monday but failed to make a breakthrough that would prevent future strikes.

The new bill angered trade unions, arguing the evidence from other countries only showed that such bills would lead trade unions to resort to other tactics and prolong disputes. Trade union umbrella group, the Trade Unions Congress, described the legislation as undemocratic and unworkable.

Meanwhile, British ministers are set to hold a political and business meeting with leaders in Northern Ireland on Wednesday. The meeting will surround post-Brexit trade issues as part of the efforts to come to a resolution with the European Union over the trade agreement amidst long-stalled talks between the UK and the EU.

By Monday, both the UK and the EU reached an agreement moving forward to address one point of concern.