The Government has introduced the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill which will allow ministers to set minimum levels of service in certain sectors that must be met during strike action.
Government departments will consult on the appropriate minimum service levels for affected sectors, starting with fire, ambulance and rail services, and these will be set out in regulations. Other sectors included in the Bill include health and education services, nuclear decommissioning, border security and other transport services. The Government hopes that these sectors will reach voluntary agreements on minimum service levels.
Government hopes that these sectors will reach voluntary agreements on minimum service levels.
Once the legislation is passed, employers will be able to issue work notices to specify the workforce required to meet the minimum service levels set out in regulations and trade unions and individuals will be obliged to comply. Unions will lose their legal protection from damages if they do not comply with the regulations and workers who strike after being told by employers they have been named in a work notice will lose their right to automatic protection from unfair dismissal.
More information is available in the press notice.
