Tory plans on union strike action are undemocratic

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/20/tory-plans-union-strike-action-undemocratic

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Conservative plans, announced in the manifesto, will make it virtually impossible for trade unions in essential services to go on strike. They want to “continue the Thatcher project” by bringing in laws that would make a strike illegal in health, education, fire and transport unless “at least 40% of all those entitled to take part in the ballot” vote in favour of industrial action. That’s a far higher threshold than the current law, which makes a strike legal if it has a simple majority of those who vote.

This is outrageous. The Tories say, “We will protect you from disruptive and undemocratic strike action”, but what is undemocratic about a majority in favour? It’s one rule for us, and another for them, because only 16 of the 650 MPs elected in 2010 secured 40% of the eligible vote. This is just another example of Tory double standards.

The right to strike – to withdraw your labour – is a fundamental human right

Traditionally, votes – for parish, district and county councils, parliament, in trade unions and every other business or recreational activity in which democracy plays a part – are legitimate if you secure a majority of those who vote. To raise the bar in this way is a blatant attempt to make it virtually impossible for train drivers, teachers, firefighters, doctors and nurses to go on strike.

The right to strike – to withdraw your labour – is a fundamental human right. It is employed as a last resort when management pushes workers too far. The alternative, which the Tories want, is a slave-labour workforce where men and women, many on zero-hours contracts, can be hired and fired on a whim. The coalition has already tampered with employment tribunals to make redress much harder to get.

What is the punishment for a bad employer? There are plenty of them about. This is all about over-regulating unions while letting management get away with murder. We can now see the Tories for what they really are – anti-union, anti-worker and anti-democratic. The Tories are creating a climate that will lead to wildcat strikes or even a general strike because people will see what they’re doing.Mick WhelanGeneral secretary, Aslef, the train drivers’ union