Blog: Why we must defend the right of working people to strike

Thousands of UK workers are being forced to take industrial action to protect their pay, standard of living and the services they provide. But rather than helping workers live decent lives and improving the services that millions of people rely on every day, the Westminster government is turning its back on working people. Strikes are always a symptom of a problem. But the government’s answer is to fast-track new legislation that will add further restrictions on the right to strike in the health, education, transport, and fire and rescue services, as well as border security and parts of the nuclear, radioactive waste and fuel sectors. It’s another sticking plaster that won’t fix the deep-rooted causes of industrial disputes. Another distraction from their inability to manage the country’s public services and our economy. UNISON is supporting the TUC’s campaign to defend the right to strike because this government believes its priority is taking away a legitimate part of industrial negotiations and more importantly, a fundamental right of workers – to withdraw their labour. The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is continuing its rapid progress through Parliament this week. It exposes the government’s weakness in coping with a mess of their own making and a failure to respond to the needs of working people. UNISON’s members are essential workers in public services, and our strike action takes place only after thorough plans for emergency cover have been nego...
Source: UNISON Health and safety news - Category: Occupational Health Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News anti-strike bill Christina McAnea Source Type: news