OVER HALF a million workers in the North West have their right to strike threatened by the government’s new strikes bill.

1 in 5 workers are at risk of losing the right to strike due to a ‘Minimum Service Levels’ Bill which critics have called “undemocratic”.

This warning came from the Trade Unions Congress today, Monday April 22, with the Bill returning to Commons today as MPs cast their final vote on the legislation.

New analysis published by the union body shows that 573,182 workers in the North West could be hit by the Bill. 

Those 573,182 workers in the North West have their right to strike threatened because – if passed unamended – the Bill will mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike in health, education, fire, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.     

The TUC says the Bill allows for minimum service levels to be “dictated from Whitehall” rather than taking account of local circumstances. 

Across England, Scotland and Wales, 5.5 million workers could be affected by the legislation. Workers in Northern Ireland aren’t subject to the Bill. 

The TUC says Conservative MPs have a chance to show “whose side they are on” and vote to stop frontline workers being sacked for exercising the right to strike.

Jay McKenna, North West TUC regional secretary said:  

“It’s time for ministers to protect the right to strike and ditch this Bill for good. 

“This spiteful Bill threatens the right to strike of 1 in 5 workers in the North West 

“No one should be sacked for trying to win a better deal at work. 

“But this draconian legislation would mean that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t comply.    

“It’s undemocratic, it’s unworkable and it’s very likely illegal.  

“With inflation still running at over 10%, the last thing workers need is for ministers to make it harder to secure better pay and conditions.  

“Today, Conservative MPs have a chance to show whose side they are on. They must do the right thing and stop frontline workers getting sacked for exercising their right to strike.”