The government’s decision to repeal the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 has gained widespread support from unions and trade bodies.
As reported earlier this week, government departments have been ordered to ignore controversial minimum services levels legislation as part of its drive to roll back anti-trade union laws.
Ministers have now officially been told to disregard the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023, which required employers in a number of sectors to force workers to attend work during a strike to keep up service levels.
Rachel Suff, senior policy adviser for employment relations at the CIPD, said: “When it was first proposed, we expressed concerns that this law would not enhance employment relations or protect the public and that it could undermine trust between trade unions and employers. Good employment relations start with collaboration and partnership, and we support the repeal of this legislation which many employers had raised concerns about.
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“Repealing this legislation was a key pledge in Labour’s manifesto, so it’s not surprising to see the government move quickly. However, with a big new Employment Bill planned, the government needs to look at its reforms holistically and consult fully to ensure it has a full understanding of the wide-ranging implications for workplaces.”
Educators’ union Community has also welcomed the decision to repeal minimum service level legislation for the sector, which follows a targeted campaign by education unions. In June, Community members had unanimously passed a motion calling for the repeal of the legislation at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference.
Helen Osgood, Community’s national officer for education and early years, said: “We welcome the repeal of minimum service levels legislation. This is another positive step towards supporting our educators and ensuring that workers within the sector feel valued and respected – demonstrating the power of a Labour government that are prepared to support the sector rather than denigrate it. Whilst this is a really encouraging measure, there is still a long way to go towards ensuring that teaching and working in education is a long-term and viable career that people can aspire to.”
Community rep Jane Hetherington, who recently helped move the motion to repeal minimum service legislation, said: “It’s great news that the Labour government has taken swift action to remove this damaging piece of legislation from the statute book. It is already making a huge difference to have a government that will listen to the voices of education workers and work with us to improve outcomes for teachers, support staff and pupils.”
In formally announcing the move, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Attempting to clamp down on the fundamental freedom of working people has got us nowhere and this was targeted at sectors who dedicate their lives to serving us all. That’s why we’re scrapping this pointless law and creating a new partnership between business, trade unions and working people through our New Deal. Repealing this legislation is the first part of our plan to reset industrial relations so they are fit for a modern economy.”
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: “We need to get Britain’s economy moving again, deliver growth and the public services which taxpayers deserve. The Strikes Act has not worked – unbelievably the UK has lost more days due to strike action than France, costing the taxpayer billions of pounds, and these divisive laws haven’t resolved a single strike since they were introduced.
“By removing minimum service levels, we will reset industrial relations, so they are based on good faith negotiation and bargaining, ending the chaos and restoring trust in public services. This is about restoring politics as public service ensuring government acts to fix problems not cause them.”
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