UK trade unions - Lamp Online

The UK government is set to introduce new anti-strike legislation, “enforcing minimum service levels” following widespread industrial action across the public sector including nurses, teachers, bus drivers, postal workers, ambulance and fire fighters.

This new law would allow an employer to bring an injunction to prevent strike action or seek damages afterwards if trade unions do not comply.

The legislation would allow employers to issue a “work notice” specifying how many workers are needed to meet what they deem as “minimum service levels.”

If workers who are subject to a work notice choose to ignore the work order and take industrial action, under the new proposed law, they could lose the right to automatic protection from unfair dismissal.

The new draconian law has been widely condemned by UK union leaders, with RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Pat Cullen calling the move undemocratic and chided the government for only being concerned about safe staffing levels during strike action.

“Safe staffing levels that are set in law are what we want to see year-round not just in these extreme circumstances. We’ve long-campaigned for governments to be accountable for safe and effective staffing levels in NHS and social care to prevent one nurse being left with 15, 20 or even 25 sick patients. Legislation exists in other parts of the UK and England is lagging behind.”

The Royal College of Nursing is planning further strike action later this month on the 18^th and 19 of January and have urged the Prime Minister to show a “renewed sense of urgency, grasp the nettle and negotiate with nurses without further delay.”

The British Royal College of Midwives (RCM) members working for the National Health Service (NHS) are currently voting to join their nursing and allied health colleagues in taking strike action.

The RCM is balloting their 30,000 members across the NHS in England and Wales, asking if members are prepared to strike over the UK government’s pay offer and poor staffing levels. The ballot closes on 12 December.

This is the second time midwives in England have voted to strike, and the first time Welsh midwives have voted on taking industrial action in the College’s 142-year history.

RCM members in Scotland have already voted in overwhelming numbers to take industrial action. In a turnout of 61% of eligible voters over 88% voted yes to taking industrial action consisting of a strike. On the question are you prepared to take industrial action short of a strike, 94.6% voted yes.

The strike vote follows midwives’ rejection of the UK government’s below inflation pay offer of a 4% increase. The current rate of inflation in the UK is 11.1%, – the highest rate in 41 years.

Dr Suzanne Tyler, the RCM’s Director of Services to Members, criticised the UK government’s wage offer as out of touch.

“It clearly shows that governments do not value the skills, dedication and incredible commitment of midwives and maternity support workers,” Dr Tyler said.

“It also shows that they either do not understand or simply don’t care about the financial pressures facing our members and their NHS colleagues.”

Ms Tyler urged the government in England and Wales to do more “to retain staff and bring in others into the NHS” noting that a “meaningful pay offer and urgent retention package is a good place to start.”

The RCM has reassured the public and staff that a strike would not prevent the safe delivery of service and that any industrial action taken “would not put women or babies at risk.”

Last week the Royal College of Nursing reported they had secured a mandate from their members to go strike, with the majority of NHS nurses across all employers voting in favour taking strike action.

The trade union Unison Healthcare, with workers including nurses, is also in the process of balloting members about possible strike action over pay.

UK Government introduce anti-strike legislation after record public sector strikes

UK midwives vote to join industry wide strike action