13.05.15
New strike rules ‘deny employees their democratic voice’ say RCM
The new strike ballot rules the Conservative government plans to introduce would make it “virtually impossible” for workers to take action and “deny employees their democratic voice”, according to the Royal College of Midwives (RCM).
The newly appointed business secretary, Sajid Javid, told the BBC that there will be “significant changes” to strike laws making it much tougher for unions, and especially those in the public sector, to take strike action.
Javid said: “We've already made clear, in terms of strike laws, that there will be some significant changes... it will be a priority of ours.”
He added: "What people are fed up of is strike action that hasn't been properly supported by the members of the relevant union.
"We've seen, including in the last five years, strike action that took place where perhaps only 10% to 15% of the members of that profession actually voted for it, and that's not right, it's unfair, especially when it comes to essential public services.
"Think of the impact it has - transport, health services - on ordinary people, going about their daily jobs - they should be in people's minds."
The Tory plans would see a strike affecting health, transport, fire services or schools needing to be backed by 40% of eligible union members.
There will also need to be a minimum 50% turnout in strike ballots.
Commenting on the proposals, Jon Skewes, director for policy, employment relations and communications at the RCM, said: “These thresholds would make it virtually impossible for workers to take action and deny employees their democratic voice.
“Industrial action is a last resort for trade unions and when the RCM took industrial action in England and during our current action in Northern Ireland we have worked in partnership with employers to maintain essential services and ensure safety.”
“The fact of the matter is that we have institutions for determining pay and conditions in the NHS (the NHS Staff Council and the NHS Pay Review Body) which trade unions, employers and the government all honour and abide by.
“Last year the first industrial action over pay in 30 years for the NHS and 133 years for the RCM occurred because the government and employers rejected the recommendations of the independent Pay Review Body. This announcement deals with the symptom of industrial unrest but not the cause, had the government and employers continued to honour the negotiating institutions there would not have been a problem.”
“The government should work with trade unions and employers in partnership to build good working relationships and to achieve consensus. This is far more productive than imposing voting thresholds that the government did not even meet in the election.”
(Image: Library image of NHS workers striking over pay. Source Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
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