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Daily Record
Politics
Andrew Quinn

Rishi Sunak trying to 'outdo Thatcher' as Tories push 'extreme' anti-strike law

The SNP have accused Rishi Sunak of trying to "outdo Thatcher" over new laws which would restrict unions' ability to strike.

The UK Government introduced a bill on Tuesday afternoon which would allow employers to sue unions and sack workers if they did not provide a certain level of service.

They would require a minimum number of staff having to work during a strike "to protect the public during strike action".

But the SNP, Labour and unions have warned it could see key workers facing the sack if they strike and lead to more walkouts.

Former Conservative Margaret Thatcher introduced a slew of laws to restrict trade union power in the 1980s.

SNP MP Chris Stephens called the laws "extreme" and warned that Scottish workers' rights could be at risk.

Stephens said: "Yet again Rishi Sunak and the Tories are vying to outdo Thatcher in their contempt for the workers who keep this country running, this time proposing a clamping down on the rights protecting hard-working staff.

“Square in the firing line are Scottish workers, who as a result of consistent refusals from Westminster to fully devolve employment law, face a stripping back of their basic rights.

“Extreme, heavy-handed legislation isn’t the solution to industrial disputes, getting round the table with striking workers is. Instead the Tories have declared open war on ordinary people fighting for better working conditions."

Stephens also called for employment law to be devolved to Scotland to protect the right to strike.

He said: “The SNP Scottish Government has left no stone unturned to find a solution to disputes in Scotland, and not once have proposed legislation that would wholly attack the workers involved in industrial action - an approach the Tories should learn from.

“If Westminster continues ahead with their assault on workers, all while ignoring calls to devolve employment law, it’ll serve as a further reminder that Scots face constant attack from the Tories, a problem only the full powers of independence can solve.”

comes after a fresh wave of industrial action this year. Train services were badly disrupted last week by two 48-hour RMT strikes and a drivers' strike in England.

GMB ambulance workers are set to go on strike in England on Wednesday.

Labour Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray slammed the measures as "immoral and unworkable".

Murray said: “This Tory attack on workers’ rights is not only immoral but unworkable. They have admitted that themselves.

“Dedicated frontline staff have been treated with contempt and forced into strike action by this Tory government after 12 years of Tory failure on pay.

“Instead of ending these strikes by negotiating in good faith and delivering a fair deal, the Tories would rather erode workers’ ability to defend themselves.

“Only a Labour government can put a stop to these damaging plans and strengthen workers’ rights in Scotland and across the UK.”

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said that the bill would only "inflame and prolonge" industrial disputes.

Graham said: “This Bill is another dangerous gimmick from a Government that should be negotiating to resolve the current crisis they have caused.

“Grant Shapps is, as usual, economical with the truth. He is taking the worst practices from other countries but not those that actually assist workers. The evidence from abroad clearly shows this kind of legislation only forces unions to use other tactics, inflaming and prolonging disputes.

“If he wants to import good practice from other countries I can give him a long list. He could start with banning fire and rehire, which can't be done in countries like Ireland and Spain but is still legal in the UK."

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