by Alan Jones

THE government has launched a “sham” six-week consultation on its anti-strike law over “reasonable steps” unions should take to ensure minimum service levels during walkouts.

Following royal assent to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, the government can set minimum service levels within sectors, including emergency services, passenger rail services and border security.

Unions have vowed to campaign against the law, which requires them to ensure a certain level of services during walkouts in sectors hit by the wave of strikes.

The government wants to produce a statutory “code of practice” – providing “clear guidance” that will ensure union members comply with work notices given by employers prior to strikes.

Under the law, bosses can issue a work notice ahead of the strike to specify the workforce required to maintain necessary and safe levels of service.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “No matter how much the government tries to spin it, the Conservatives are brazenly attacking the right to strike.

“This is a sham consultation. Ministers have ignored a mountain of evidence on how these laws are unworkable and will escalate disputes.

“They are ploughing ahead despite their anti-union drive being slapped down by the UN workers’ rights watchdog, and their recent High Court defeat over the use of agency workers during strikes.

“This government seems intent on breaching fundamental rights guaranteed by international law.

“That’s why we will fight this legislation all the way – exploring all avenues, including legal routes.

“Our message is loud and clear. The entire trade union movement will rally behind any worker sacked for exercising their fundamental right to strike.

“We won’t stand by and let workers get sacked for defending their pay and conditions, and we won’t rest until this Act has been repealed.”

The government said industrial action has had a significant impact on access to emergency services and the UK economy, resulting in more than 600,000 rescheduled medical appointments since December.

Business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “We believe in the right to strike but this must be balanced with the public’s right to access essential services and get on with their daily lives.

“This consultation will give trade unions, employers and workers a chance to feed back on whether our proposals set out a clear and fair process for trade unions to follow to ensure members comply with a work notice.”

Labour has pledged to repeal the law if it wins the next general election.

Commenting on the consultation, Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “This legislation has always been pointless and totally unnecessary.

“It’s a desperate attempt to prop up a failing government by demonising unions, rather than a serious effort to improve industrial relations and protect the public.

“The sooner this law is removed from the statute book, the better.”