The most radical changes to trade union laws for 30 years have cleared the first hurdle in the House of Commons.
There has been considerable controversy over the reforms, which have been described by union leaders and opposition MPs as “draconian.”
As part of the Trade Union Bill, there would need to be a 50 per cent turnout in a ballot for a strike to be lawful and in the public sector there would be an additional requirement that 40 per cent of those eligible to vote supported industrial action.
There would also be changes to the law concerning pickets, the notice that unions have to give ahead of any walk-out and the right of employers to use agency staff to replace striking workers.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid defended the proposals, arguing that the legislation was a natural progression.
“This bill is not a declaration of war on the trade union movement,” he said. “It is not an attempt to ban industrial action. It is not an attack on the rights of working people. It won’t force strikers to seek police approval for their slogans or their tweets.”
But Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), claimed that the measures were a concerted effort to weaken the bargaining hand of employees with genuine grievances.
“I think Acas [Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service] has certainly pointed out the danger that if you suppress that right for people who feel they are being unfairly treated at work to democratically take strike action, then people will find other ways to express that discontent,” she said.
On Monday night, the Government won the first vote on the Bill, which now progresses to a second reading.