Unite vow to protect workers against ‘predictable attack’ by government

It has been a turbulent few days (months?) in politics, and who can say what could happen in the next few hours, let alone days at Westminster.

However, one thing is for certain, the first reading of the controversial Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill has certainly ruffled feathers in the rail sector.

Unite, the second largest trade union in the UK, with over 1.2 million members across construction, manufacturing, transport, logistics, has released a statement today vowing to defend workers against the new legislation, stating that the announcement was ‘another predictable attack’ from the government.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is just another predictable attack on trade unions from a failing Government that expects the country to take a pay cut. It’s always workers and communities that pay the price. We can all see whose side they are on and their long-term direction of travel.

“Now it is time to start asking the question – who is this economy for?

“Unite is prepared for all eventualities. We will defend workers.”

Although the bill was tabled by outgoing PM Liz Truss, her shock departure yesterday doesn’t change anything with regards to the new legislation. With a new PM set to be in place by the end of next week, if not sooner, the bill will remain in action, working its way through the processes, unless the new leader decides to put a stop to it.

You can read more about the new legislation here.

Image credit: Network Rail

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