The UK government’s proposed anti-strike law would hand new powers to bosses in our health, education, fire, ambulance and rail services to bring injunctions against unions, and even to sack employees who go on strike for fair pay and conditions.
This new law, currently being pushed through Parliament, aims to make it easier for bosses in our health, education, fire, ambulance and rail services to sue unions, to bring injunctions to prevent strikes and even to sack striking employees.
After years of austerity, and amid a growing cost-of-living crisis that is dragging more and more people towards the poverty line, hundreds of thousands of public sector workers across the UK have gone on strike. From railway workers, postal workers, nursing and ambulance staff to university employees and teachers — workers are feeling the devastating effect of years of real-term pay decreases and cuts to vital public services. No worker wants to go on strike, and lose pay, but sometimes it is the only way they can defend their pay and conditions, and maintain the staffing and safety standards of our public services.
The UK government should be getting around the table and having meaningful discussions with workers and trade unions to find solutions to the deepening poverty and inequality that so many are facing. Instead, it is undermining the vital role of trade unions in representing and fighting for the rights of their members.
We know the government is trying to rush this through. We must act now and raise our voices in solidarity with trade unions and workers driven to strike action. Please write to your MP today to demand they vote down the anti-strike law and defend the right to strike.
