UK unions fight to #KillTheBill regulating strikes
Parliament debates legislation that would tighten rules on industrial action.
British workers’ unions and opposition parties are riled up over a government-sponsored bill they say would make it more difficult to strike. Supporters of the legislation, making its way through the UK House of Commons, say it would protect workers affected by strikes caused by a “handful” of people. But critics say the bill is “an attack on the rights of working people in the UK”.
The bill would impose a new requirement that would allow a strike to happen only if at least 50 per cent of union members vote in favor of it. Unions would need to give a 14-day notice for a strike, up from the current seven. Once they’re striking, picketers would have to give their names to police and may face fines for not wearing an official armband. And employers could hire contractors to do the work that striking employees walk out on.
Protests have taken shape online with various hashtags including #KillTheBill and #TUBill for Trade Union Bill.