UK government introduces laws to limit disruption of public strikes
In an effort to reduce disruption caused by strikes, the bill would ensure that critical public services, such as railways, ambulances and fire services, maintain a minimum service during industrial action, “reduce the risk to life and ensure that the public is still always going to work,” said a government statement on Tuesday.
“The first duty of any government is to keep the public safe. Because while we absolutely believe in the ability to attack, we have an obligation to protect the lives and livelihoods of the British people,” said Chancellor of the Exchequer Grant Shapps in the statement. .
The UK is in the throes of a wave of strikes, which began in the summer of 2022 and continued into this year, as inflation remains consistently high and wage increases have failed to keep pace. Railway workers and nurses were among those who organized the action, the Xinhua news agency reported.
The government closed horns with the trade unions. It said the wage increases demanded by unions were unaffordable and higher wages would not help fight inflation. Government ministers and trade unions met on Monday, but talks again failed to get off track.
The unions criticized the new legislation on Tuesday. This bill was “another dangerous trick” by a government that would have to negotiate to resolve the current crisis, said Secretary-General Sharon Graham of Unite, one of the UK’s largest trade unions.
“Evidence from abroad clearly shows that this type of legislation only forces unions to use different tactics, fueling and prolonging disputes,” Graham added.
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