MILITANT rail unions will be banned from bringing the UK to a standstill under tough new minimum service laws introduced this week.
Limits could see rail operators forced to run a 40 per cent service even during militant walk outs.
Limits could see rail operators forced to run a 40 per cent service
The new laws will be laid this week in Parliament, and will match similar regs that are in place for transport networks across Western Europe including France and Spain.
It will mean transport services – including rail, tubes and buses – cannot be completely shut down when unions walkout.
Government insiders hope the new rules will come into force next year after a year of union walkouts.
Just 11 per cent of services ran when the RMT and Aslef joined forces to strike earlier this month.
More walkouts are expected as the government clashes with the hard left unions over pay and job security.
A Government source said: “The Government stood on a manifesto commitment to introduce minimum service levels.
“As we have seen only too often in recent months, it is wrong that strikes are preventing hard-working people and families up and down the country from getting to work, doctors’ appointments and school.
“That is why we are introducing this legislation, to keep Britain moving, ensure people can get to work, earn their own living and grow the economy.”
If successful ministers could even extend the measures to teachers, NHS staff, postmen and firefighters.
Last night RMT chief Mick Lynch blasted the measures.
He said: “Further restrictions on the right to strike will only make it more difficult to reach a negotiated settlement in the national rail dispute.
“We already have the most draconian and restrictive anti-trade union laws in Western Europe.
“Working people are fed up with the Government trying to make them scapegoats for the country’s problems.
“RMT and other unions will not sit idly by or meekly accept any further obstacles on their members exercising the basic human right to withdraw their labour.”
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