Government introduces new strike laws following London Underground chaos

The government and Trade unions are far from seeing eye-to-eye just yet as the Conservatives have made new adjustments to strengthen strike laws.

Under the terms of the new Trade Union Bill, there now has to be a 50% threshold for ballot turnout and an additional 40% of support to take industrial action in the key health, education, fire, transport, border security and energy sectors – including the Border Force and nuclear decommissioning.

In addition, there will also be four-month time limit for industrial action to take place and the introduction of safeguards to ensure non-strikers can go to work without intimidation.

This will aim to ensure that any strike action will not result in disrupting people going about their daily lives and work.

The new bill is a reaction to the mayhem the strikes on the London Underground caused last week for commuters.

Nearlycosting up to £300m, the strike, which started at 18:30 on Wednesday, 8th July, finished at 21:00 the next day and was the first major shut down in 13 years.

Around 20,000 staff from four rail unions went on strike because of the Night Tube service, set to launch in September, as well as a disagreement over the annual pay package offered to Transport for London (TfL) workers.

Sajid Javid, Business Secretary, said: “Trade unions have a constructive role to play in representing their members’ interests but our one nation government will balance their rights with those of working people and business.

“These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when a clear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all other possibilities have been explored.

“This will deliver a key commitment we made in our manifesto.”

Nick Boles, Employment minister, added: “People have the right to expect that services on which they and their families rely are not going to be disrupted at short notice by strikes that have the support of only a small proportion of union members.

“These are sensible and fair reforms that balance the right to strike with the right of millions of people to go about their daily lives without last minute disruption.”

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