Laws Banning Strikes to Be Repealed Just Over a Year After Implementation
The Labour government has announced its intention to repeal the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, a piece of legislation that was passed while the Tories held a majority of 76 in Parliament.
Last year, anti-strike legislation was introduced to establish “minimum safety levels” in key services during times of industrial action. The government has now decided to scrap this legislation.
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act was enforced in July 2023 after being pushed through Parliament by the Conservative government. However, the Labour government, fulfilling its promise to repeal it, declared on Tuesday that it would be eliminated.
Highlighting the significant costs incurred by industrial action in the NHS last year, former Business Secretary Grant Shapps emphasized the need for minimum safety and service levels to protect livelihoods and lives.
The legislation specified minimum safety levels for fire, ambulance, and rail services, with plans to consult on appropriate coverage for these sectors. Other sectors covered included health services, education, nuclear decommissioning, transportation, and border security, with intentions to seek voluntary agreements.
Despite the legislation’s existence, it was never put into effect by the government.
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To gain support from trade unions, the government has committed to repealing the legislation—a condition set by the unions for their endorsement of a Labour government.
Rayner Condemns the Law
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner criticized the legislation as a hindrance to the fundamental freedom of working people, particularly those in public service sectors.
Rayner declared the law as “pointless” and stated the government’s plan to establish a new partnership with business, trade unions, and workers through the New Deal initiative.
According to Rayner, repealing this legislation is the first step in overhauling industrial relations to suit a modern economy.
Mick Lynch, the general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, welcomed the decision to repeal the legislation, seeing it as an opportunity to improve industrial relations in the UK.
Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds have communicated with various government departments and the Welsh and Scottish governments, reaffirming the government’s commitment to repealing the legislation when parliamentary time permits.
Reynolds: ‘Reshaping Industrial Relations’
Reynolds expressed the government’s intention to reset industrial relations by eliminating minimum service levels and emphasizing negotiation and trust in public services.
At the time the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act was passed, the Conservative government held a majority of 76. Currently, Sir Keir Starmer’s government enjoys a majority of 167 in Parliament.
While the government previously stated its commitment to protecting the right to strike, Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea criticized the legislation as unnecessary and praised its early repeal.
McAnea denounced the law as misplaced and highlighted the lack of support for minimum service levels from various stakeholders.
PA Media contributed to this report.
