Posted 11 January 2023 - 09:30
Posted 11 January 2023 - 09:30
News
Day of protest to target proposed anti-strike law
TUC announces day of events to oppose law that it fears could see nurses and other key workers facing dismissal for going on strike
TUC announces day of events to oppose law that it fears could see nurses and other key workers facing dismissal for going on strike
A national day to ‘protect the right to strike’ will be held next month in opposition to the government’s new anti-strike laws.
Following meetings with different union leaders the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has announced a day of events for unions and the public across the country on 1 February to stand against the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill.
The legalisation, introduced into parliament by secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Grant Shapps on Tuesday, seeks to enforce minimum levels of staffing during industrial action in the health service, along with fire, transport and border security services.
It is feared the changes could mean employers have the power to sack workers who take part in action when they have been asked to work. The legislation will also restrict the period of time that unions can strike and will increase the voting mandates needed to withdraw labour.
TUC leaders says no one should lose their job if they take lawful action to win a better deal
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: ‘The right to strike is a fundamental British liberty – but the government is attacking it in broad daylight.
‘Nobody should lose their job if they take lawful action to win a better deal. But ministers have gone from clapping our key workers to threatening them with the sack. Unions will fights these plans every step of the way – including through parliament and through the courts.’
A TUC analysis shows nurses have lost £42,000 in real earnings since 2008, the equivalent of £3,000 a year.
Unison has confirmed it will be supporting the TUC and taking part in events. The RCN has been contacted for comment.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: ‘I find it quite appalling that at a time when we’ve been calling for safe staffing levels in the NHS, it seems that the only time the country will get safe staffing levels, if the government bring this legislation in, is when we actually take strike action.’
Information for members and the public about planned events will be announced in the coming weeks.
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