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CABLE:
We won't restrict your right to strike...unless you try to
use it
13
July 2011
Reactionary calls for
tightening of strike laws have grown as workers begin fightback
against the cuts.
Dominic Raab, a backbench
Conservative MP tested the water back in April by introducing
a 10-Minute Rule Bill aimed at introducing minimum thresholds
to union ballots for industrial action. Although he won little
support, even from within his own party, those behind calls
for toughening of laws will have been pleased the issue is
back on the agenda.
Raab's failed attempt
was followed by Vince Cable's address at GMB Congress in early
June where his threats to introduce further restrictions on
the right to strike angered trade unionists. Despite acknowledging
that "strike levels remain historically low" and
that there was not a "compelling " case for tightening
strike laws, Cable went on to say that if workers' continued
to exercise their right to strike, the pressure on Government
to act would "ratchet up".
This was the first explicit
warning from a Government Minister over the introduction of
further anti-trade union laws and an attempt to pacify union
outrage was quickly made by Employment Minister Ed Davey when
he described a rush to tighten strike laws as "antagonistic
and inflammatory".
Despite this seemingly
more liberal line from the Government, Davey echoed Cable's
warning that "if there's a case for taking action, we'll
take it". It is clear that this is just the beginning
of a right wing attempt to tighten the net on trade unions
even further.
The United Campaign will
continue to work with our supporters to fight against restrictions
on trade union rights and freedoms. John Hendy QC, the UC's
National Secretary writes overleaf on the current state of
UK law on the right to strike.
Dispelling the myths
- trade union balloting thresholds and the right to strike
- The right to strike
is guaranteed in every significant human rights charter
as a fundamental human right - despite this, there is no
legal right to strike in the UK
- The laws on balloting
for strike action require trade unions to have the support
of the majority of those voting - the same requirement for
determining support in any ballot in any organisation the
length and breadth of the country - including in General
Elections
- The right wing lobby
has called for additional requirements in union ballots
with the introduction of a 40% threshold. 40% of those eligible
to vote must vote 'yes' in order for strike action to be
legal - this automatically counts those who have not voted
as voting against
- Imposing a threshold
undermines the fundamental human right to strike
- Even in cases where
members vote overwhelmingly for strike action, there is
nothing to stop employers dragging unions to court over
spurious technicalities in order to gain an injunction against
action.
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