POLITICIANS from every party at Holyrood – except the Conservatives – have voted to oppose the UK Government’s “anti-strike” act.
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act will let bosses draw up a list of workers who cannot legally take strike action because they are deemed necessary to maintain minimum service levels.
Unions whose members fail to comply with these “work notices” could be sued for damages of up to £1 million.
The law has been branded “spiteful” by trade union leaders, and has now been voted down by MSPs.
A Scottish Government motion opposing the legislation and saying it “undermined legitimate trade union activity” passed by 85 to 28.
A Scottish Tory motion, stating the Westminster legislation strikes an “appropriate balance” between the ability to strike and the protection of lives, fell by 85 votes to 28.
Scottish Labour’s amendment stating Parliament should instead back the UK Labour’s plans for a “new deal for working people”, which would scrap the legislation and ban zero-hour contracts, also fell by 91 votes to 18.
Speaking during the debate, Scottish Greens MSP and trade union spokesperson Maggie Chapman said: “Our nurses, fire fighters, bus drivers, train conductors, teaching assistants – indeed all who work in our life-sustaining public services – deserve our admiration and thanks. But more than that, they deserve each and everyone of us elected to represent them to fight for their rights and conditions.”
Chapman (above) went on: “Collective bargaining is a cornerstone of modern labour relations, and any law that limits the right to strike or other options of dispute resolution diminishes the bargaining power of workers.
“This can lead to even more unequal power dynamics between employers and employees than already exist: favouring the interests of the powerful over those who work for them will only perpetuate inequalities. Indeed, I believe that strong workers' rights are essential for building a fair and just society.”
Ahead of the debate, Fair Work Secretary Neil Gray said the bill "fails to respect devolution".
He said: “It is the Scottish Government’s long-standing position that a progressive approach to industrial relations along with stronger – not weaker – protections for workers is at the heart of a fairer society and prosperous economy.
“The UK Government’s Minimum Service Levels Act is unwanted, ineffective and fails to respect devolution."
