TUC reports government to UN body over attacks on right to strike
The UK’s main union body has reported the government to the United Nations’ labour standards organisation for alleged attacks on British workers’ right to strike.
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) said UK ministers had taken several steps to infringe workers’ right to strike, including a new law that allows companies to use agency workers to break strikes and a proposal for a minimum service level on transport and other “critical” sectors.
The submission to the International Labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations that sets standards for workers around the world, follows a pledge from Liz Truss – who is expected to become the next prime minister after being named winner of the Conservative leadership race on Monday – pledged to crack down on unions within the first 30 days in office.
Frances O’Grady, the TUC general secretary, said the government was seeking to limit workers’ ability to bargain for better wages just when inflationary pressures are reaching their peak.
“The right to strike is a fundamental freedom,” she said. “But the Conservative government is attacking it at every opportunity. Threatening this right tilts the balance of power too far towards employers, and breaches the legal obligations ministers signed up to in government.”
Relations between unions and the government have almost completely broken down in recent months, as low unemployment and rapidly rising prices have prompted an increased number of industrial disputes. That has spilled over into a wave of strike action for higher pay and better conditions across sectors ranging from rail and port workers to Royal Mail employees and even barristers.
The TUC’s 31-page report, seen by the Guardian, detailed a series of law changes and proposals
Read more on theguardian.com
