Unions welcome abandonment of Tories' 'malicious' minimum service law

Trade unions have welcomed the government’s decision to formally repeal a “draconian” anti-strike law that would have ensured a minimum level of service during strikes, as the legislation had restricted workers’ rights.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds have written to departments whose sectors have been most affected by the strikes to give a “clear message” that the measures will be repealed, and urged all metropolitan mayors to begin engaging with local employers about the change.

The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act was introduced by the Conservative government last year in response to a wave of strikes sparked by disputes over pay, employment and conditions. However, these powers have never been used by employers or resulted in a single dispute being resolved.

Ministers noted that industrial action in the NHS cost the taxpayer £1.7 billion last year, saying it proved that “strong but fair” negotiation was essential to smooth over problems between workers and employers.

While most senior union officials have welcomed the repeal of the law, unions are privately hoping the government will implement its overhaul of workers’ rights within the first 100 days, including proposals to ban zero-hours contracts and prohibit fire-and-rehire practices.

Senior union officials, including TUC general secretary Paul Nowak, firefighters union general secretary Matt Wrack and Usdaw general secretary Paddy Lillis, were quick to welcome the news, which had been promised in Keir Starmer’s first speech. Unite appeared to remain silent, having criticised the government’s workers’ rights agenda in the run-up to the general election.

Nowak said: “Public services work best when governments listen and engage constructively with their employees.

“Strikes are settled around the table – not by legislating to stamp out dissent, but the Tories insisted on pushing MSLs through Parliament in order to grab headlines and appear tough to backbenchers.

“The new government is right to repeal this malicious law. It is time to enter a new era of more mature industrial relations.”

Christina McAnea, Unison general secretary, said: “This was a terrible law. It’s great that the government is scrapping it so soon. Let’s get rid of a bad law. This legislation should never have been passed. No one wanted minimum service levels, just a wicked government that is seeing its power wane and is desperate to shore up its vanishing support.”

The deal is part of a wider overhaul of industrial relations in Britain, after Wes Streeting attempted to end the dispute with junior doctors by offering a 22.3% pay rise over two years. Junior doctors’ leaders in England have agreed a pay deal with the government, but it is now being submitted to their members.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves also gave public sector workers an above-inflation pay rise after accepting recommendations from independent pay review bodies last week.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, welcomed the government’s decision to repeal the anti-strike law, calling it a “vindictive ideological attack on a fundamental democratic freedom”.

Rayner said: “Trying to restrict workers’ fundamental freedoms has gotten us nowhere and this measure targeted industries that dedicate their lives to serving us all. That’s why we’re scrapping this unnecessary law and creating a new partnership between business, unions and workers through our New Deal.”

“Repealing this law is the first part of our plan to rethink industrial relations so that they are fit for a modern economy.”

Reynolds added: “By removing minimum service levels, we will redefine industrial relations, so that they are based on good faith negotiation and bargaining, ending chaos and restoring trust in public services. This is about restoring politics as a public service, ensuring that government acts to solve problems, not cause them.”