The Conservatives say they will legislate to make it more difficult for unions to call strikes in key public services if they win this year’s election.
Industrial action in the health, education, transport and fire services would require the support of at least 40 per cent of all those entitled to take part in strike ballots – as well as a majority of those who actually turn out to vote.
A Conservative source said this would prevent strikes going ahead on the basis of majorities in ballots in which only a small proportion of the unionised workforce has voted.
Under proposals to be included in the party’s manifesto for the 6 May election, Tories also pledged to end the ban on the use of agency staff to cover for striking workers, and they promised a review of the possible introduction of minimum service levels to ensure that core services remain available during strikes.
Unveiling the proposals, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said legislation would be passed in the first year of the next parliament if Conservatives secure a majority in May and would stop “politicised union leaders” from “holding the country to ransom” with the backing of only a small proportion of their members.
RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It’s no surprise that they are demanding new legislation which will tighten the noose of the anti-union laws around worker’s throats.
“These same old Tories are elected on pathetic turnouts with minority support but they want one form of democracy for a corrupt political class and another for the organised working class. They will be fought tooth and nail. “