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Latest NewsIndustrial action / strikesTrade unionsCommuting

New Bill to provide ‘right to get to work’ during transport strikes

by Ashleigh Webber 17 Dec 2019
by Ashleigh Webber 17 Dec 2019 Commuters waiting for a train on the first day of SWR's strike.
Image: Alex Lentati/LNP/Shutterstock
Commuters waiting for a train on the first day of SWR's strike.
Image: Alex Lentati/LNP/Shutterstock

Commuters will be given a “basic right” to get to work each day under a new law set to be unveiled this week.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said a Bill will enshrine in law minimum service levels on key transport services, such as buses and trains. This will mean employees will still be able to travel to work on public transport during industrial action.

Impact of strikes on commuters

Dealing with commuter disruption caused by strikes

Travel disruption: how to deal with staff who are late for work

He said the legislation, which will be outlined in the Queen’s Speech on Thursday, will prevent trade unions from holding passengers “to ransom” during disputes.

Shapps told the Evening Standard: “It is a basic right for workers to be able to get to work.

“The ability of a few people to prevent everyone from being able to earn a living has to come to an end.

“The new law will prevent London being brought to a standstill, with all the additional environmental damage done by people reverting to cars.

“There will be a bare-bones service provided, preventing ordinary workers being effectively held to ransom.”

Meanwhile, members of the RMT union have started a third week of strike action on South Western Railway in a dispute over the role of guards on trains and “driver only” operation. The strike is set to continue until January as attempts to resolve the issue have so far been unsuccessful.

The RMT said any law that bans transport workers from striking would deny staff a “basic human right”.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “Instead of attacking rail workers fighting to defend safety and disabled access any responsible government would be tackling the scandal of private profiteering on Britain’s railways which has reduced services to chaos.”

The Department for Transport has been contacted for comment.

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Grant Shapps
Ashleigh Webber
Ashleigh Webber

Ashleigh is editor of OHW+ and HR and wellbeing editor at Personnel Today. Ashleigh's areas of interest include employee health and wellbeing, equality and inclusion and skills development. She has hosted many webinars for Personnel Today, on topics including employee retention, financial wellbeing and menopause support. Prior to joining Personnel Today in 2018, she covered the road transport sector for Commercial Motor and Motor Transport magazines, touching on some of the employment and wellbeing issues experienced by those in road haulage.

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