East Brighton Activists Storm London to Defend Right to Strike
Members of the East Brighton Food Co-operative made the trip to London on Monday, joining hundreds of activists and union workers outside Downing Street. Their mission? To fight against the government’s assault on the Right to Strike.
Government’s Crackdown Sparks Fury
Before heading off, EBFC blasted the government’s new bill as “the biggest attack on people’s freedom in hundreds of years.” The controversial legislation forces certain emergency workers to work through strikes and threatens them with dismissal if they refuse.
Bill Passes Commons, But Battle Isn’t Over
The bill passed in the House of Commons by 315 votes to 246 on Monday evening. However, it faces further scrutiny in the House of Lords before it becomes law.
Ministers Gain Power to Enforce Minimum Service Levels
The proposals, covering England, Scotland, and Wales, would give ministers authority to set minimum service levels for fire, ambulance, and rail services during strikes. Other sectors affected include health, transport, border security, and nuclear decommissioning, though the government aims to strike voluntary agreements there.
The exact minimum service levels will be determined after a public consultation.
