Reacting to plans by Conservative ministers to restrict trade union rights by limiting industrial action if they win the 2015 general election, Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Trade union laws in the UK are already some of the most repressive in the world.
“The introduction of an additional 40% ballot threshold for strike action in public services on top of the need to win a simple majority would seriously undermine the right of most public sector workers to defend their hard fought workplace rights.
“Let’s be clear, it’s because of trade unions, industrial and strike action that we have child labour laws, pension schemes, maternity leave and sick pay. The Tories have always opposed campaigns to improve working conditions so this latest attack comes as no surprise.
“These plans are a continued assault on the trade union movement and working class people by a millionaire government that is completely out of touch with the lives of workers.
“Workers have seen their wages fall, jobs destroyed and pensions stolen. These proposals are an attempt to stop us fighting back. Any such attack should be resisted by all trade unions standing together.”
For reference, the FBU’s pension dispute with the government would not be effected by these proposals, as with the current dispute over cuts in Essex, as both ballots received a high turnout.
