Unions have reacted with anger to Government proposals to crack down on strikes on the day a long-running rail dispute causes chaos throughout the country.
A dispute over pay and working conditions has led to further strike action on Wednesday (July 27) as only one in five train services are reported to be running. The strike action, led by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union (RMT), has added to the travel disruption already felt across the UK in recent weeks.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps revealed a series of plans in a newspaper interview, including stopping co-ordinated industrial action, limiting picketing and having a cooling-off period after strikes. He told the Daily Telegraph: “I’m looking at banning strikes by different unions in the same workplace within a set period.
READ MORE: 'People are striking to survive' as rail workers struggle to stay afloat
"We should also place an absolute limit of six pickets at points of critical national infrastructure, irrespective of the number of unions involved, and outlaw intimidatory language. Ballot papers should set out clearly the specific reason for industrial action and the form of action to be taken.
"In addition, before strike dates are announced, employers should have the right to respond to the issue cited on the ballot paper.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary of trade union Unite, hit back, saying the political class are out of touch with workers. She said: “If Grant Shapps had his way we would all still be in the workhouse. His intervention is just the latest in a growing list of political attacks on trade unions and the most fundamental rights held by working people.
“The Government has miscalculated. People can see behind the usual narrative of ‘union bad, boss good’.
"The cost-of-living crisis is the latest episode in a war on the living standards of workers. For decades wages have been pushed down while profits for bosses and investors have gone up and up.
"When P&O sacked 800 workers at a moment’s notice, the company did not have to ballot anyone or petition the Government to see if they could do it. It’s one law for the bosses and another law for the rest for us.”
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Grant Shapps hasn’t lifted a finger to end this rail dispute. Instead of doing his job, he has been blocking an agreement and picking fights with unions."
Grady blasted Shapps' proposals as "an attack on the fundamental right to strike," claiming they are "anti-democratic and anti-worker." She said: “Threatening the right to strike tilts the balance of power too far towards employers.
"It means workers can’t stand up for decent services and safety at work – or defend their jobs and pay. While millions are struggling to get by, ministers are falling over themselves to try to find new ways to limit workers’ ability to bargain for higher pay.
“It’s time for the Transport Secretary to focus on ending this dispute, instead of looking for new ways to distract from his failure.”
Shapps shared the Telegraph article in which he laid out his proposals on Twitter, saying: "We must make union barons think twice before wielding the strike weapon – and complete Margaret Thatcher’s unfinished business."
RMT rail strikes are set to continue with more dates scheduled on August 18 and 20.
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