- Employment law for employees
Shorter Reads
Associate Daniel Zona from the Employment team shares his thoughts on these potential anti-strike laws.
1 minute read
Published 5 January 2023
The government is reported to be considering a change in strike laws that would bring in “minimum service level” requirements across six sectors, including health, rail and education. Under the proposed changes, a strike could be deemed unlawful if unions or their members refuse to provide a minimum level of service when strikes are organised, and employers would be able to take legal action against unions and their members. It is reported that Sunak will also make it lawful for an employer to dismiss an employee who refuses to provide a minimum level of service.
The clear and obvious purpose of the proposed changes is to diminish and curtail the effectiveness of strike action in those six sectors. Employers may find they are able to effectively disregard strike action, or at least give it less significance, in negotiations with unions if they’re still able to provide a minimum service.
If made law, these changes could amount to one of the most significant curbs on the fundamental right to strike in recent decades. It could in effect amount to forcing some workers to work against their will. The proposed changes could breach human rights legislation and potentially modern slavery laws.
It is likely the proposed changes would be counterproductive and lead to further disruption and legal challenges by unions and other interested groups. The government will reportedly formally announce the new changes in the coming days.
For more information, visit our Employment Law for Employees page.
Related content
Shorter Reads
Associate Daniel Zona from the Employment team shares his thoughts on these potential anti-strike laws.
Published 5 January 2023
The government is reported to be considering a change in strike laws that would bring in “minimum service level” requirements across six sectors, including health, rail and education. Under the proposed changes, a strike could be deemed unlawful if unions or their members refuse to provide a minimum level of service when strikes are organised, and employers would be able to take legal action against unions and their members. It is reported that Sunak will also make it lawful for an employer to dismiss an employee who refuses to provide a minimum level of service.
The clear and obvious purpose of the proposed changes is to diminish and curtail the effectiveness of strike action in those six sectors. Employers may find they are able to effectively disregard strike action, or at least give it less significance, in negotiations with unions if they’re still able to provide a minimum service.
If made law, these changes could amount to one of the most significant curbs on the fundamental right to strike in recent decades. It could in effect amount to forcing some workers to work against their will. The proposed changes could breach human rights legislation and potentially modern slavery laws.
It is likely the proposed changes would be counterproductive and lead to further disruption and legal challenges by unions and other interested groups. The government will reportedly formally announce the new changes in the coming days.
For more information, visit our Employment Law for Employees page.
Need some more information? Make an enquiry below.
Enjoy reading our articles? why not subscribe to notifications so you’ll never miss one?
Subscribe to our articlesPlease note that Collyer Bristow provides this service during office hours for general information and enquiries only and that no legal or other professional advice will be provided over the WhatsApp platform. Please also note that if you choose to use this platform your personal data is likely to be processed outside the UK and EEA, including in the US. Appropriate legal or other professional opinion should be taken before taking or omitting to take any action in respect of any specific problem. Collyer Bristow LLP accepts no liability for any loss or damage which may arise from reliance on information provided. All information will be deleted immediately upon completion of a conversation.
CloseCollyer Bristow advises Strive Gaming in investment round
© 2024 Collyer Bristow LLP
© 2024 Collyer Bristow LLP
Sharon Fryer, Head of Commercial Services
CB Comply: Data protection training
Collyer Bristow offers live, interactive, engaging and practical training sessions on a variety of privacy-related topics.
CB Checkpoint: Optimising your key business documentation, policies & procedures.
There are a number of key policies, procedures and documents your business should keep up to date, to be both legally protected and in preparation for investment or exit.
Collyer Bristow’s ‘CB Checkpoint’ team will give your business a full check-over, reviewing your key documentation and advising on any changes that are suggested or required. We will deliver a full report of our findings and offer support, should you need it, to ensure legal protection for your business, its assets, and ultimately its reputation.
CB Checkpoint: Optimising your key business documentation, policies & procedures.
There are a number of key policies, procedures and documents your business should keep up to date, to be both legally protected and in preparation for investment or exit.
Collyer Bristow’s ‘CB Checkpoint’ team will give your business a full check-over, reviewing your key documentation and advising on any changes that are suggested or required. We will deliver a full report of our findings and offer support, should you need it, to ensure legal protection for your business, its assets, and ultimately its reputation.
CB Comply: Data protection training
Collyer Bristow’s Data Privacy team offers live, interactive, engaging and practical training sessions on a variety of privacy-related topics.
Robin Henry, Head of Dispute Resolution
Navigating your Business through conflict.
We work with clients across a vast range of industries supporting them through the full range of disputes. We provide dynamic and tailored strategies to get them back on track and focused on the day-to-day activities required for success.
Peter Daniel, Head of Private Wealth
Support for the day to day, support for the complex.
Tailored support for wealth individuals and families.
CB Clarity: Pre and post nuptial agreement services
The purpose of a nuptial agreement is to agree a fair financial settlement between a couple in the event they get divorced/the civil partnership is dissolved, and it seeks to protect any pre- acquired assets such as inheritance, businesses or property and also seeks to deal with any future inheritance. Put simply, pre and post- nuptial agreements help to provide security, clarity and certainty in the future, for both parties.
CB Entrust: The personalised will writing service from Collyer Bristow
CB Entrust is not an off the shelf will such as those available on the high street, but a fixed price expert approach to writing one of the most significant documents of your life.
Michael Grace, Head of Real Estate
Support across all your real estate requirements.
We work with property owners, investors, developers, funders and both landlords and tenants on the financing, growth, management and disposal of their property and portfolios.
Helping those in the financial sector respond rapidly to market changes.
Our multi-disciplinary team provides a seamless service to businesses and individuals operating in the financial sector. Our work ranges from corporate finance, lending, and restructuring, to funding, regulation, high-value banking litigation and complex claims against financial institutions.
lifetime gifting
A lifetime gift is any gift that you make, without strings, during your lifetime.
In the UK, there are strict rules around gifting to stop people from avoiding IHT by giving away their possessions as gifts before they die.
The digitalisation of our everyday lives
All of us have at least part of our lives online and in digital assets such as emails, social media profiles, cryptocurrency and online bank accounts, to name just a few. The law recognises that digital assets can be owned. However, there is no consistency between assets and you may find that some of your most valuable assets are mere licences to use a third-party provider’s service. This has significant consequences when attempting to access, manage and transfer digital assets after death.
Flexible working is the future of the workplace.
As well as the obvious benefits to both employers and employees of continuing to combine working from home with going into the office and more flexible hours, there are employment law and other legal implications that employers will need to consider. Each organisation’s requirements will be slightly different.
Supporting businesses in digital transformation.
The metaverse. Artificial intelligence. E-sports. Cryptocurrency. Traditional business models and industries have either been or are being disrupted by digital innovation, paving the way for new opportunities and changing “the way that things are done.”
Listen to the latest in our UK/USA podcast series
If it's urgent, please
call +44 20 7242 7363
< Back to menu
I have an issue and need your help
Scroll to see our A-Z list of expertise
< Back to menu
I'd like to just search for something