Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill – New ‘Anti-Strike Law’ to be discussed

January 24, 2023

The proposal of a new ‘anti-striking law’ has been announced to be discussed in Parliament. The anticipated Bill will aim to reduce the disruption and ensure safety of the public caused by the strikes. This will follow similar rules to those already implemented in European countries, France, Italy and Spain, for applying minimum levels during strikes.

The Bill will first consult on minimum service levels for fire, ambulance and rail services. Once executed in these sectors, the Bill will then impact education and health services, border security and decommissioning of nuclear installations and management of radioactive waste and spent fuel.

The government aims to provide a minimum service regulation required for skeleton service during the strikes, to reduce the severe disruption that the public faces and immediate risk to public safety when blue light services are disrupted. They could include maintaining core service provision in emergency services and ensuring key transport and travel routes are not completely shut down during strike days. This means that employers will be able to identify persons required to work during the strike in order to keep the levels of service under the minimum service regulation. If their workers do not comply with these rules, employers will be able to dismiss employees or seek damages.

These proposed laws are in the early stages and has only just been introduced to be debated. There has already been heavy criticism on the Bill, Labour have already suggested that these laws will be repealed if they are elected to government. Unions have also criticised the Bill as “undemocratic, unworkable and illegal”, arguing that if it became law the legislation would prolong disputes and poison industrial relations.

Any legislation will not have an impact on the strikes which are planned for this month as they are still set to go ahead. The statute passed its second reading in the House of Commons as MPs backed the legislation, with a majority voting in favour.  

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