Call to ban ‘critical’ transport workers from going on strike as MPs pressure Government to stop union bosses ‘holding the country to ransom’
- MPs insist tough new laws needed to smash the power of trade militant unions
- They said ministers should consider an outright ban on walkouts by workers
- The law would mirror the ban on police officers striking due affect on safety
Ministers were last night facing growing calls to ban strikes by transport workers.
MPs said tough new laws were needed to smash the power of militant unions and prevent them from ‘holding the country to ransom’.
They said ministers should even consider an outright ban on walkouts by workers who deliver ‘critical services’, including public transport.
That would mirror the ban on police officers striking due to them providing an emergency service.
A queue builds up outside Stratford Bus Station during yesterday’s evening rush hour as the Tube strike continues. Around 10,000 workers are joining the strike
It could also mimic stricter rules in countries such as France and Germany, where to be considered lawful, industrial action must be ‘proportional’ to its aims.
Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Commons transport committee, said: ‘There is definitely a case to be explored to prevent those in key critical national infrastructure, which includes getting people to work on public transport, from being able to disrupt that.’
A Department for Transport spokesman said last night: ‘Rail strikes have a real impact on people’s lives… which is why we are looking at how we can limit the impact of this action.’
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