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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Unions vow to fight plans to keep trains running | Unions vow to fight plans to keep trains running |
| (4 months later) | |
| Unions have vowed to fight government plans to ensure minimum service levels on transport networks during strikes. | Unions have vowed to fight government plans to ensure minimum service levels on transport networks during strikes. |
| The RMT rail union described the government plans as "autocratic" while Aslef said they "won't work". | The RMT rail union described the government plans as "autocratic" while Aslef said they "won't work". |
| The government said the Transport Strikes Bill, which will be presented to MPs on Thursday, aims to avoid disruption from staff walkouts. | The government said the Transport Strikes Bill, which will be presented to MPs on Thursday, aims to avoid disruption from staff walkouts. |
| Prime Minister Liz Truss said UK transport users "should not be held to ransom". | Prime Minister Liz Truss said UK transport users "should not be held to ransom". |
| There have been a series of rail strikes in recent months as unions have clashed with train firms, track operator Network Rail and the government over pay and conditions. | There have been a series of rail strikes in recent months as unions have clashed with train firms, track operator Network Rail and the government over pay and conditions. |
| Further rail strikes are planned on 3, 5 and 7 November. | Further rail strikes are planned on 3, 5 and 7 November. |
| In response, the government is pressing ahead with legal moves to ensure minimum service levels during walkouts. | In response, the government is pressing ahead with legal moves to ensure minimum service levels during walkouts. |
| 'Draconian' | 'Draconian' |
| 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. |
| But the Unite union called it a "predictable attack" on unions and workers' right to fair pay. | But the Unite union called it a "predictable attack" on unions and workers' right to fair pay. |
| The RMT called the Bill "anti union" and "draconian", saying it would effectively outlaw legal industrial action. | The RMT called the Bill "anti union" and "draconian", saying it would effectively outlaw legal industrial action. |
| Aslef - which represents 96% of train drivers in Great Britain - said the Bill, if passed into law, would only lead to strikes "lasting longer". | Aslef - which represents 96% of train drivers in Great Britain - said the Bill, if passed into law, would only lead to strikes "lasting longer". |
| It added that the government's proposed minimum service levels were "a stupid idea". | It added that the government's proposed minimum service levels were "a stupid idea". |
| "What happens when 100% of passengers try to get on 40% minimum service level trains?" said its general secretary, Mick Whelan. | "What happens when 100% of passengers try to get on 40% minimum service level trains?" said its general secretary, Mick Whelan. |
| 'Held to ransom' | 'Held to ransom' |
| The government, which says strikes in June cost the economy £100m, said its plan would limit unions' "ability to paralyse our economy". | The government, which says strikes in June cost the economy £100m, said its plan would limit unions' "ability to paralyse our economy". |
| It added that details of the minimum service levels would be set out after a public consultation. | It added that details of the minimum service levels would be set out after a public consultation. |
| 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." | "It is vital that public transport users have some continuity of service to keep Britain moving and growing." |
| On Wednesday, RMT announced its latest round of strikes for early November. Only 20% of usual services will run with the disruption likely to spill over into non-strike days. | On Wednesday, RMT announced its latest round of strikes for early November. Only 20% of usual services will run with the disruption likely to spill over into non-strike days. |
| Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh 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." | Labour's shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh 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." |
| Related Topics | |
| Companies | |
| Cost of living | |
| UK economy | |
| Strike action |