The Government has announced it plans to repeal legislation brought in by the previous administration allowing employers in key public sectors to require workers to maintain minimum levels of service during strike action.
The Conservative government passed the law last summer after a more than a year of disruptive strikes across the railway network, hospitals and schools but it was never inacted by employers whilst on the statute book
The government said the formal repeal of legislation would form part of a new Employment Rights Bill, due to be introduced within the first 100 days of power.
“By removing minimum service levels, we will reset industrial relations, so they are based on good faith negotiation and bargaining, ending the chaos and restoring trust in public services,” Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said.
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said :
“This was a terrible law. It’s great the government is ditching it so early on. Good riddance to a bad law.
“This legislation should have never reached the statute book. No one wanted minimum service levels, only a spiteful government watching power drain away and desperate to shore up its rapidly disappearing support.
“No employer used the law because doing so would have ramped up tensions, prolonged strikes and risked the wrath of the public.
“Ambulance workers and other key staff don’t ever want to go on strike, but should they ever need to, they deserve the same rights as other UK workers.”
“Essential cover is always provided in health disputes. Now this pernicious law has been kicked to the kerb, health workers and their unions can focus on working with government and employers to get the NHS back on its feet.”
