Laura Sharman 27 May 2015

Queen's speech 2015: Tougher laws on strike action

The Conservatives have pledged to ‘protect essential public services against strikes’, using today’s Queen’s Speech to confirm it will set a tougher threshold for industrial action.

Under reforms to strike laws, the Government will ban strike action in health, education, fire and transport unless the majority of eligible union members vote in favour of striking, with at least 40% needing to take part in strike ballots.

In its manifesto, the Conservatives also said they would overturn restrictions banning employers from hiring agency staff to provide cover during strike action. It also pledged to reduce trade union facility time and legislate to ensure trade unions use a transparent opt-in process for union subscriptions.

The Enterprise Bill – intended to cut red tape for small businesses and drive forward economic growth – also outlines plans to improve the business rates system ahead of the planned reform in 2017 and measures to allow the Valuation Office Agency to share information with local government.

As confirmed earlier this week, the Government will also scrap six figures ‘golden goodbyes’ for public sector workers, expected to be set at £95,000.

Chancellor George Osborne said this measure would ensure ‘fairness and value for money for the taxpayer.’ In 2013, 1,838 public sector employees received redundancy payouts over £100,000.

Four-day working win image

Four-day working win

Cllr Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambs DC, reflects on the results of the council’s four-day week trial and calls on Labour to back the shorter week.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band G SCP 32-37 (£41,511 - £46,731 per annum)
This is an exciting time to join Sandwell Metropolitan Brough Council Adult Social Care. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Head of Service South Yorkshire Regional Adoption Agency CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
SMG (SCP 52-54) £68,424 - £73,891
Do you have comprehensive knowledge and experience of delivering and leading on practice linked to adoption? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

ASB Investigations & Enforcement Officer x 2 Posts (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7 Scale Point 12 - £27,259 - £29,955
We are passionate about Doncaster - it’s a great place to live, do business and visit. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Head of Property and Place

East Suffolk Council
£89,542 - £101,494 per annum
In this newly developed role, you will lead on property and place-based services and delivery Suffolk
Recuriter: East Suffolk Council

Lead Practitioner

Sheffield City Council
Grade 9, £45,718 to £49,764
Sheffield City Council is dedicated to delivering innovative, high-quality services to our community. Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Sheffield City Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.