Trade unions are joining forces to legally challenge Liz Truss’s “hostile” crackdown on workers’ rights.
Eleven unions are preparing court action over moves to restrict the freedom to strike, in a move signalling a bruising winter of conflict between workers and the new PM.
Unions say new laws which allow bosses to bring in agency workers to replace striking staff are illegal in UK and international law.
The TUC, co-ordinating the fight, vows to “throw the kitchen sink” at the PM’s pledge to restrict industrial action and roll back protections on working hours, sick pay and workplace safety.
General secretary Frances O’Grady has warned Ms Truss not to become the “P&O PM”, a reference to the sacking of 800 ferry workers and their replacement with agency staff earlier this year.
Unions backing the action include the transport workers’ RMT, general union GMB, train drivers’ Aslef, civil servants’ unions FDA and PCS and teachers’ National Education Union.
Health union Unison and headteachers’ union NASUWT are considering separate legal actions against what they say is “anti-worker” proposed legislation.
Ms O’Grady said: “The right to strike is a fundamental British liberty but the Government is attacking it in broad daylight.
“Ministers failed to consult as the law requires. That’s why unions are coming together to challenge these changes in the courts.”
The PM has promised a raft of measures to curb unions, including raising the threshold for any strike ballot so that 50% of the entire workforce would have to vote in favour to make any walkout legal.
Unions would also have to give four weeks’ notice of planned action instead of two.
