The Conservative government, following on from the Queens speech, will today start the process to introduce new thresholds on strike ballots and other changes that will inhibit industrial action and restrict the rights of trade unions.
The government is proposing new thresholds for industrial action ballots and additional thresholds for “core public services” – including the fire and rescue service – to meet a 50% turnout with 40% of the total workforce having to vote in favour. This would mean, in some circumstances, a requirement for an 80% yes vote.
Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “The Tories are trying to steamroll over the democratic rights and civil liberties of workers in the UK today.
“Firefighters, ambulance workers, tube workers and others were praised last week for their response to the London bombings on 7/7, but this week the Tories are planning to attack their rights at work.
“This has nothing to do with the voting threshold as the Tories claim. It is all about weakening all trade unions and workers’ rights so that bosses can attack wages, pensions and conditions at work. And this coming from a government who have been voted into office on the support of just 24% of the public.”
