Why the Anti-strike Bill Should Be Concerning to All- Even Those Who Do Not Support Industrial Action
The bill has been passed in the House of Commons — taking one step closer to coming reality
The past seven months has seen a stark rise in trade unions taking industrial action. From train workers to nurses, teachers to driving instructors, organised members have said ‘no more’ to persistent government cutbacks and lack of funding.
February 1 saw 500,000 workers from various trade unions take part in the biggest coordinated day of strike action in the UK for a decade. It was done as a show of solidarity- but also in protest to a piece of government legislation which aims to crush the unions like never before.
The ‘anti-strike bill’, a colloquial term coined to describe the legislation, was passed through the House of Commons by MP’s on 30 January. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg criticised the bill, saying it was “badly written” before going on to vote in favour of it.
In essence, the bill would give the government the opportunity to allow employers to force workers in some industries, such as railway and the NHS, to come to work and not go on strike. If they refused, workers would then risk losing their jobs.
With the bill taking a significant step forward with this victory in the commons, it has resulted in a significant step towards the loss of workers rights. Union members are standing up to fight against this, and the attitude for change has not been this strong in years.
Despite the clear hopes to quash workers rights, many people continue to not want to support workers. If the bill passes, which looks more and more likely each day, then it is a precedent for the government to move forward and take away further rights of honest hard working members of the public.
The bill has received widespread criticism from overseas organisations as well as those in the UK it would directly affect. Amnesty International are one of the most prominent.
In reaction to the Government’s Strikes (Minimum Services Level) Bill, Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Amnesty International UK, said: “The Government’s proposed changes to the right to strike are alarming and one more example of its drive to erode human rights in this country.
“The legislation ignores key safeguards that protect workers’ rights under international law. It gives ministers sweeping powers to impose minimum service levels after whatever consultations they see fit, rather than requiring them to negotiate alongside unions and employers, subject to third-party arbitration, where agreement cannot be reached.”
When Amnesty International, one of the most prominent human rights supporting organizations on the planet, highlights a government bill as one which will erode human rights, there should be alarm bells.
The strikes will continue and, despite what the national press might tell you, there is still lots of public support. Union leaders such as Mick Lynch of the RMT have been successful in cutting through to the public and saying support for their struggle is support for the wider working class fight for better rights.
