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| Plan to ensure some trains run during strikes | |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A plan to ensure a minimum level of service on transport networks during strikes has been called "doomed" by unions. | A plan to ensure a minimum level of service on transport networks during strikes has been called "doomed" by unions. |
| The government said the Transport Strikes Bill, which will be presented to MPs on Thursday, aims to avoid further disruption from staff walkouts. | The government said the Transport Strikes Bill, which will be presented to MPs on Thursday, aims to avoid further disruption from staff walkouts. |
| Further strikes are planned on 3, 5 and 7 November. | Further strikes are planned on 3, 5 and 7 November. |
| Aslef, the train drivers' union, said the Bill, if passed into law, would only lead to strikes "lasting longer". | Aslef, the train drivers' union, said the Bill, if passed into law, would only lead to strikes "lasting longer". |
| There have been a series of rail strikes in the UK over the past months as unions have clashed with train firms, Network Rail - which maintains and operates railway infrastructure - and the government over pay and conditions. | There have been a series of rail strikes in the UK over the past months as unions have clashed with train firms, Network Rail - which maintains and operates railway infrastructure - and the government over pay and conditions. |
| Prime Minister Liz Truss said: "Hardworking people and businesses should not be held to ransom by strike action which has repeatedly crippled our transport network this year". | Prime Minister Liz Truss said: "Hardworking people and businesses should not be held to ransom by strike action which has repeatedly crippled our transport network this year". |
| She added that the plan will limit unions' "ability to paralyse our economy". | She added that the plan will limit unions' "ability to paralyse our economy". |
| Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef - which represents 96% of the train drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales - said the government's proposed minimum service levels "won't work". | Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef - which represents 96% of the train drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales - said the government's proposed minimum service levels "won't work". |
| "Liz Truss, although clearly a busted flush, is determined to try to make industrial action ineffective. | "Liz Truss, although clearly a busted flush, is determined to try to make industrial action ineffective. |
| "The train companies don't want to run minimum service levels because they know it's a stupid idea. What happens when 100% of passengers try to get on 40% minimum service level trains?", Mr Whelan added. | "The train companies don't want to run minimum service levels because they know it's a stupid idea. What happens when 100% of passengers try to get on 40% minimum service level trains?", Mr Whelan added. |
| On Wednesday, the latest round of strikes by members of transport union RMT was announced. It is thought only 20% of usual services will run during the strikes, which are planned for early November, and knock-on disruption is likely the morning after strikes. | On Wednesday, the latest round of strikes by members of transport union RMT was announced. It is thought only 20% of usual services will run during the strikes, which are planned for early November, and knock-on disruption is likely the morning after strikes. |
| The RMT called the Bill "autocratic" and "anti union". General secretary Mike Lynch wrote: "This cynical piece of legislation outlaws effective legal industrial action on our railways. | The RMT called the Bill "autocratic" and "anti union". General secretary Mike Lynch wrote: "This cynical piece of legislation outlaws effective legal industrial action on our railways. |
| "All democrats whether inside or outside parliament must oppose this draconian attempt to clamp down on the fundamental human right to strike," Mr Lynch added. | "All democrats whether inside or outside parliament must oppose this draconian attempt to clamp down on the fundamental human right to strike," Mr Lynch added. |
| Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: "Strikes have affected nearly all of us over this last year - whether that means losing out on a day's pay at work, having to close your business, missing vital medical appointments or stopping our children from getting to school. | Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: "Strikes have affected nearly all of us over this last year - whether that means losing out on a day's pay at work, having to close your business, missing vital medical appointments or stopping our children from getting to school. |
| "It is vital that public transport users have some continuity of service to keep Britain moving and growing - this legislation will give everyone the certainty they need to carry on with their daily lives." | "It is vital that public transport users have some continuity of service to keep Britain moving and growing - this legislation will give everyone the certainty they need to carry on with their daily lives." |
| The government wrote that economists assessed a loss of £100m to the UK economy during rail strikes in June 2022. | The government wrote that economists assessed a loss of £100m to the UK economy during rail strikes in June 2022. |
| Shadow Transport Secretary for the opposition Labour Party, Louise Haigh MP, said: "Instead of attacking working people, ministers should finally do the job of a responsible government, get around the table and find a resolution to this dispute." | Shadow Transport Secretary for the opposition Labour Party, Louise Haigh MP, said: "Instead of attacking working people, ministers should finally do the job of a responsible government, get around the table and find a resolution to this dispute." |
| What is the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill? | What is the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill? |
| A Bill is a proposal for a new law that must be debated and approved by Parliament before being introduced into UK law. | A Bill is a proposal for a new law that must be debated and approved by Parliament before being introduced into UK law. |
| The Department for Transport said the Transport Strikes Bill will mean: | The Department for Transport said the Transport Strikes Bill will mean: |
| A minimum service level must be in place during transport strikes - if this is not delivered, the unions will lose legal protections from damages | A minimum service level must be in place during transport strikes - if this is not delivered, the unions will lose legal protections from damages |
| Employers will specify the number of staff required to meet an adequate service level during strikes | Employers will specify the number of staff required to meet an adequate service level during strikes |
| Unions must take reasonable steps to ensure an appropriate number of specified workers still work on strike days | Unions must take reasonable steps to ensure an appropriate number of specified workers still work on strike days |
| Specified workers who still take strike action will lose their protection from automatic unfair dismissal | Specified workers who still take strike action will lose their protection from automatic unfair dismissal |
| The government added that specific details of how minimum service levels will apply will be set out after public consultation. | The government added that specific details of how minimum service levels will apply will be set out after public consultation. |
| It added that employers and unions would need to agree a minimum service level "to continue running during all strikes over a three month period". If they fail to do so, the Central Arbitration Committee would determine the minimum number of services. | It added that employers and unions would need to agree a minimum service level "to continue running during all strikes over a three month period". If they fail to do so, the Central Arbitration Committee would determine the minimum number of services. |