Anti-strike legislation is an attack on vital services and workers
The Tories’ anti-strike legislation is an attack on public services and workers, says the Scottish Greens trade union spokesperson Maggie Chapman MSP.
Speaking in a Scottish Government debate on the UK Government’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, which limits the right of public sector workers to take industrial action, Ms Chapman said: “Our nurses, fire fighters, bus drivers, train conductors, teaching assistants - indeed all who work in our life-sustaining public services - deserve our admiration and thanks. But more than that, they deserve each and everyone of us elected to represent them to fight for their rights and conditions.”
Ms Chapman highlighted the impact of collective bargaining, which has been central to trade unions securing better rights and conditions for their members: “Collective bargaining is a cornerstone of modern labour relations, and any law that limits the right to strike or other options of dispute resolution diminishes the bargaining power of workers.
“This can lead to even more unequal power dynamics between employers and employees than already exist: favouring the interests of the powerful over those who work for them will only perpetuate inequalities. Indeed, I believe that strong workers' rights are essential for building a fair and just society.”
Ms Chapman concluded: “This debate matters to us in Scotland because workers’ rights should always matter to us. And I express my solidarity with those workers elsewhere in the UK who will be negatively affected by this legislation.
"We should be standing up against any legislation that undermines the principles of democratic participation and fair labour practices that must be central to any socially just society.”