Mark Whitehead 06 September 2022

'Fierce resistance' to threatened strike clampdown

Fierce resistance to threatened strike clampdown image
Image: David Burrows / Shutterstock.com.

Any attempt by new Prime Minister Liz Truss to outlaw strikes will be met with ‘fierce resistance,’ trade union Unite has warned.

The warning came as 200 Unite members at Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in Northern Ireland walked out in the latest local government industrial action.

More than 1,000 workers from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon BC have extended their strike while a dispute is ongoing at Newry, Mourne and Down DC.

During the Conservative Party leadership contest, Ms Truss promised a further crackdown on unions, pledging to raise ballot thresholds from 40% to 50% of employees and increase the minimum notice period for strike action from two to four weeks.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘Attempts to place effective industrial action outside of the law are a direct assault on the democratic rights of the British people and will be met with fierce, prolonged resistance.’

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea urged Ms Truss not to waste ‘precious time attacking unions for trying to help working people’.

This article originally appeared on The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Linkedin Banner