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Trade Union Bill: Ministers unveil strike law reforms Trades Union Bill: Ministers deny 'attack on workers' rights'
(35 minutes later)
Legislation designed to toughen up the laws on strike action is to be unveiled by the government later. Ministers have defended plans to tighten the rules on strike ballots after unions said they would make legal strikes "almost impossible".
The Trade Union Bill proposes minimum turnouts in strike ballots, time limits on mandates for industrial action and changes to political levies. Under the Trade Union Bill, a turnout of at least 50% of members will be needed to authorise industrial action.
The government says this will balance the right to strike with the rights of working people and businesses. But in key public services the bar is higher - with 40% of those entitled to vote having to support a strike.
However, unions have criticised the move, saying the changes will make legal strikes close to impossible. The TUC has branded the legislation an "attack on workers' rights" - but the government says the changes are fair.
The bill gets its first reading later - its official introduction to Parliament - and will not be debated at this stage. The Trade Union Bill, which later begins its journey into law, represents the biggest shake-up in the rules on industrial action in 30 years.
Minimum turnout Union leaders reacted with anger to the legislation, with one saying it "smacks of Germany in the 1930s" and Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey accusing the government of wanting to "put trade unionism beyond the law".
The Conservatives made a manifesto commitment to reform UK strike laws, with legislation announced in the post-election Queen's Speech in May. The new laws would force unions to give employers 14 days notice of strike action and allow them to bring in agency staff to cover for striking workers.
The party had wanted to introduce the reforms during the coalition government but the move was blocked by the Liberal Democrats. 'Slippery slope'
A strike can take place under the current law if it is backed by a simple majority of the union members voting, regardless of turnout. The legislation could also cut the amount of money unions have to mount campaigns - or donate to parties such as Labour - with members actively having to "opt in" to pay the so-called political levy, which is currently automatic unless members opt-out.
Under the bill, a strike affecting "core" public services - such as health, transport, fire services or schools - would need the support of 40% of eligible union members to go ahead. But proposals to ban picket lines of more than six people appear to have been dropped. It will be made an offence not to have a named individual supervising a picket line.
There would also be a minimum 50% turnout for strike ballots to be valid, and time limits on a mandate for industrial action following a ballot. The legislation also includes efforts to tackle "intimidation" of non-striking workers.
Other measures are likely to see the removal of current restrictions on using agency workers to cover for strikers, and efforts to tackle "intimidation" of non-striking workers. Analysis by Assistant Political Editor Norman Smith
In numbers These are some of the most sweeping and radical union reforms since the 1980s. The unions fear it will make effective industrial action pretty much impossible - and say it's unnecessary as the level of strikes is almost at its lowest ever.
But ministers argue that in the wake of strikes on London Underground, for example, where people have been severely inconvenienced, they need to find a fresh balance and look again at the power of the trade unions.
What is notable is that when Margaret Thatcher introduced her reforms, it was on back of a wave of industrial discontent. Today, unions are much diminished and tamed beasts which has promoted accusations from the unions and the Labour Party that this is all partisan politics designed to knobble them.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Trade unions have a constructive role to play in representing their members' interests but our one nation government will balance their rights with those of working people and business.Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Trade unions have a constructive role to play in representing their members' interests but our one nation government will balance their rights with those of working people and business.
"These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when a clear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all other possibilities have been explored.""These changes are being introduced so that strikes only happen when a clear majority of those entitled to vote have done so and all other possibilities have been explored."
Also under the changes, union members will have to "opt in" if they want to pay a political levy as part of their fees, rather than having to opt out, which will hit Labour funding. But TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the Bill would "make it almost impossible for workers to exercise what is their democratic right and civil liberty".
Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman has said changes to party funding "must be on a fair, cross-party basis, not just rigged in favour of the Tory party". Ms O'Grady said the changes would enable employers to "stick two fingers up" to workers by bringing in agency staff to break any strikes - and people standing on picket lines would be "subject to arrest".
'Ready to fight' She told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme it would "load the dice" against key public sector workers such as nurses and be "poisonous for industrial relations in the UK".
The government's proposals have been criticised by unions, with TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady saying the bill "is a slippery slope towards worse rights for all". In numbers
Ms O'Grady said the changes would enable employers to "stick two fingers up" to workers by bringing in agency staff to break any strikes.
Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, said the move "smacks of Germany in the 1930s" and accused the government of trying to "neuter the unions".Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers' union Aslef, said the move "smacks of Germany in the 1930s" and accused the government of trying to "neuter the unions".
Meanwhile, Unite - UK's biggest trade union - has deleted the words "so far as may be lawful" from its constitution.Meanwhile, Unite - UK's biggest trade union - has deleted the words "so far as may be lawful" from its constitution.
General secretary Len McCluskey said: "Unite is not going to see itself rendered toothless by passively submitting to unjust laws. If the Tories wish to put trade unionism beyond the law, then they must take the consequences.General secretary Len McCluskey said: "Unite is not going to see itself rendered toothless by passively submitting to unjust laws. If the Tories wish to put trade unionism beyond the law, then they must take the consequences.
"We are ready for the fight, and we will, I believe, find allies throughout society, amongst everyone who cares for freedom and democracy.""We are ready for the fight, and we will, I believe, find allies throughout society, amongst everyone who cares for freedom and democracy."
Endorsing the introduction of strike ballot thresholds, CBI director general Katja Hall said it was "an important, but fair, step to ensure that strikes have the clear support of the workforce". Labour accused the government of trying to "drive a false wedge between government, industry, employees and the public by restricting rights - and at worst criminalising - ordinary working people, from midwives to factory workers to challenge low-pay or health and safety concerns".
Dr Adam Marshall, policy and external affairs executive director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said the right to strike "must be exercised with the greatest restraint". Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman has said changes to party funding "must be on a fair, cross-party basis, not just rigged in favour of the Tory party".
"Businesses will see this as a sensible piece of legislation that carefully balances the rights of those wishing to withhold their labour, against the rights of those who rely on access to essential services," he said. Employers' organisation the CBI backed the introduction of strike ballot thresholds. Director general Katja Hall said it was "an important, but fair, step to ensure that strikes have the clear support of the workforce".
Adam Marshall, policy and external affairs executive director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said the right to strike "must be exercised with the greatest restraint".
Consultations on the 40% strike ballot threshold for key public sectors, picketing rules, and use of agency workers will be open until September.Consultations on the 40% strike ballot threshold for key public sectors, picketing rules, and use of agency workers will be open until September.
The Conservatives had wanted to introduce the reforms during the coalition government but the move was blocked by the Liberal Democrats.
The bill gets its first reading later - its official introduction to Parliament - and will not be debated at this stage.