Strike-breaking legislation is unlawful, argues UNISON in High Court

General Secretary Christina McAnea (centre) with UNISON’s legal team outside the High Court this week UNISON is challenging the government this week over regulations that allow employers to hire agency staff to replace striking workers. Alongside the NASUWT and TUC, whose case is on behalf of eleven unions, UNISON asks that the High Court declares the government’s removal of regulation on agency workers unlawful. Together, the unions represent millions of workers in the UK. Since 1976, it has been illegal for employers to introduce or supply agency workers to replace workers who are taking part in a strike or industrial action. However, in the heat of last summer’s rail strikes, then Secretary of State Kwasi Kwarteng rapidly removed this regulation without consulting trade unions.  Since July 2022, agencies have been permitted to supply temporary workers to replace striking workers. UNISON, the TUC and NASUWT argue that this is unlawful on two grounds: firstly, that trade unions were not fairly consulted by the government on these measures. Secondly, that the removal of this regulation amounts to an unlawful interference with workers’ right to strike. Change without consultation The Conservative government’s intention to allow employers to undermine strikes with agency workers was first included in their 2015 manifesto, with a declaration to “repeal nonsensical restrictions banning employers from hiring agency staff to provide essential cover during strikesâ€...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News agency workers judicial review unison legal Source Type: news