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The Conservative UK Government has brought a “winter of discontent” upon the UK and the Strikes Bill is not the answer, according to the Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.
Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons for the vote on the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill on January 16, Labour MP Mr Jones voiced his opposition both for the Bill and the approach of the Government to recent industrial action.
Mr Jones, who voted against the Bill, said: “This is truly a winter of discontent visited on the country by the Conservative Government. Railway staff, posties, ambulance staff, bus drivers, border staff, highway workers and driving examiners are on strike, and, for the first time in their 106-year history, so are nurses.
“Rather than threatening hard-pressed workers, the Government should be sitting around the negotiating table and trying to secure a solution. I support the trade unions and colleagues at the TUC who work tirelessly day in, day out to make life better for working people.”
The Bill, which passed its second reading on January 16 with 309 votes for and 248 against, has led to widespread criticism with many seeing it as an affront to the right to strike – but the UK Government maintains that it is necessary.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Grant Shapps, who introduced the Bill, said: “The Government firmly believe that the ability to strike is an important element of industrial relations in the UK. That ability is rightly protected by law, and we understand that an element of disruption is likely with any strike.
“However, we also need to maintain a reasonable balance between the ability of workers to strike and the rights of the public, who work hard and expect the essential services that they pay for to be there when they need them.
“We must be able to have confidence that when strikes occur, people’s lives and livelihoods are not put at undue risk.
“As has become clear from recent industrial action, that is not always the case, so we need a safety net in place to ensure that the public do not become collateral damage.”
What will the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill do if it passes?
The Bill was introduced by Grant Shapps MP.
According to information provided on the House of Commons Library website the Bill, if passed, “would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations setting out the minimum service required in certain sectors during strikes.
Unions and workers would have to comply with these or face losing protections against being sued or dismissed.”
This will affect workers in six industries:
- Health
- Fire and rescue
- Education
- Border security
- Nuclear decommissioning
- Transport
If passed, the Bill will affect Wales, England and Scotland but not Northern Ireland.
Critics include Labour and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) who suggest the Bill is “an attack on working people”.
Further information can be found here.
However, according to Mr Jones, the Bill is a failure – a sign of a Government that has failed to engage in effective negotiations.
Mr Jones, who is a ‘lifelong trade unionist’ said: “The Bill is a mark of the Government’s failure: they have failed to engage in effective negotiation and now they think that they can legislate their way out of the mess that they have created.
“Clearly, this is about trying to divert attention. The Government know that the Bill is unworkable and impractical.
“It represents one of the most restrictive and interventionist attacks on the right to strike for generations. The Government’s proposals are simply undemocratic. The Bill is clearly not about public safety; as we have heard time and again, it does not mention safety once.
“Collective bargaining is widely recognised as the most effective route for delivering sustainable pay increases; tackling inequality at work; and promoting investment in skills, training and productivity.”
How did other borough MPs vote on the Bill?
Labour MPs Chris Evans, who represents Islwyn, and Caerphilly’s Wayne David, also voted against the Bill.
Mr Evans and Mr David joined with Gerald Jones MP and ten other Welsh Labour MPs, in the House of Commons to oppose the bill.
In a post on Twitter, Mr David posted a photo of Welsh Labour MPs gathered together around a sign reading ‘I’m against Tory plans to restrict the right to strike’.
Alongside the picture, Mr David MP wrote: “Last night @WelshLabour MPs made it clear that they are totally opposed to the Tories’ attack on the Trade Unions.”
The next stage of the Bill will be the Committee stage. This date is yet to be announced.
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