A nationwide strike could be on the cards to prevent Britain from plummeting into the “dark ages” a Glasgow trade union convenor has warned.
GMB cleansing worker Chris Mitchell is urging all trade unions to join forces to oppose the anti strike bill being discussed in parliament in a bid to save working class employees.
Scotland's employment minister warned the planned bill, coming amid widespread industrial action, was 'pouring oil on the fire'.
READ MORE: Glasgow union boss dressed as 'giant rat' thanks workers for strike support
If approved, the new law would mean some public sector workers would be required to work during a strike.
But the GMB says this would give employers “carte blanche” on how they treat their staff.
Chris Mitchell said: “We are heading towards a general strike. Front line services like the NHS have been in crisis for many years because they [the government] keep making cuts to it.
“All public services have been obliterated and now they are trying to bring in laws which would mean you don’t have the right to strike when you are looking for a pay rise.
“This would give employers carte blanche to do what they want with you whether it be public or private sector workers.
“If this bill is passed there will no doubt be an attack on sick pay, holiday entitlement and you will work longer for less money. This will take Britain back to the dark ages instead of forwards.
“It will destroy working class communities along with the trade unions. We have exhausted every avenue and the only option left for us is to go on strike because we don’t seem to be getting anywhere.
“We will be left begging at the mercy of the employer.”
The new bill, published on Tuesday, comes amid a wave of industrial action across the public sector as workers seek pay increases in the face of the rising cost of living.
Laws requiring a minimum level of service during strikes had already been promised for public transport as part of the Conservative's 2019 election manifesto. A bill was introduced to Parliament in October.
Now the government is seeking to extend this requirement to five other areas - including NHS, education, fire and rescue, border security, and nuclear decommissioning.
The Scottish Government has said it will study the bill carefully, and would seek to have it amended to 'better reflect Scotland’s values and interests'.
Employment and Fair Work Minister Richard Lochhead said: “At a time when the UK Government’s relationship with workers and trade unions is at such a low ebb, these proposals pour oil on the fire.
“The Scottish Government strongly opposes any Bill that undermines legitimate trade union activity and does not respect Fair Work principles.
“It is our long-standing position that a progressive approach to industrial relations along with greater – not fewer – protections for workers is at the heart of a fairer, more successful society.
“The UK Government’s introduction of the Minimum Service Levels Bill is a direct contradiction to the Scottish Government’s position. The Scottish Government opposed the introduction of the 2016 Trade Union Act alongside trade union and local authority partners, and continues to call for it to be repealed.”
UNISON and the RMT have also condemned the proposals branding them an attack on human rights which they vow to oppose in court, parliament and the workplace.
UNISON assistant general secretary Jon Richards said:“Ministers should focus their time and energy on rebuilding trust and relationships with workers, not silencing and suppressing them.
“Minimum staffing levels in the NHS would be welcome by the public and health staff every single day of the week. That could avoid people being left lying in agony on A&E floors or dying in the backs of ambulances.
“The NHS is on its knees because of record vacancies. The idea of limiting legal staffing levels to strike days and threatening to sack or fine health workers at such a time shows proper patient care isn’t ministers’ priority.
“The government is picking ill-advised fights with NHS employees and unions to mask years of dismal failure to tackle pay and staffing.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch added:“This is an attack on human rights and civil liberties which we will oppose in the courts, Parliament and the workplace.
“One of the most important things in any democratic society is to have free trade unions.
“This law could make effective strike action illegal, and workers may be sacked for exercising their right to withdraw their labour.
“The only reason this draconian legislation is being introduced is because the government has lost the argument and wants to punish workers for having the temerity to demand decent pay and working conditions.
“The government’s own impact assessment of minimum service levels shows it wouldn’t work. They would be better off coming to a negotiated settlement with unions through dialogue.”
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