Keir Starmer cheered by union leaders as he vows to undo Tory anti-strike laws and give workers new rights at TUC conference (and asks if they could please stop asking for any more huge pay rises) _ Hieuuk
Keir Starmer was cheered by union leaders today as vowed to weaken anti-strike laws and introduce a broad swathe of new rights for workers.
Sir Keir was initially given a cool reception as he became the first serving Prime Minister to address the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) conference in Brighton in 15 years.
But he was cheered as he vowed to scrap Conservative-era laws that limited the right to strike and introduce a wide slate of new rights for workers including flexible hours and the right to ‘switch off’ .
But at the same time he tried to tell union kingpins that they could not ask for massive pay rises – despite his young administration already agreeing massive rises for junior doctors and rail workers to see off industrial action.
They listened in silence as he said his Government ‘will not risk its mandate for economic stability’ with union leaders demanding above-inflation pay deals for their members.
‘With tough decisions on the horizon, pay will inevitably be shaped by that,’ the PM warned.
Sir Keir was initially given a cool reception as he became the first serving Prime Minister to address the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) conference in Brighton in 15 years.
But he was cheered as he vowed to scrap Conservative-era laws that limited the right to strike and introduce a wide slate of new rights for workers including flexible hours and the right to ‘switch off’ .
Sir Keir set out details of the Employment Rights Bill promised in the first 100 days of his administration.
It will give workers the right to demand flexible hours from their first day in new jobs as well as the ‘right to switch off’ at evenings and weekends.
And the legislation will also be used to repeal the 2016 Trade Union Act, which required at least half of members to take part in a vote before a walkout could be allowed, as well as last year’s Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act, which attempted to keep key public services running during industrial action by ensuring skeleton staff were on duty.
Fran Heathcote, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, said: ‘We’ve had enough of being told about ”tough decisions”. The real tough decisions are forced upon our members every day trying to make ends meet.
‘Thousands of the Government’s own workers earn just above the minimum wage and are having to rely on food banks. There will not be a stronger economy without boosting the incomes of working people.
‘You cannot solve the problems caused by austerity with more austerity. That’s why the TUC has voted overwhelmingly for a campaign of pay restoration across the public sector – which will boost living standards and strengthen the economy.’
Gary Smith, GMB general secretary, said: ‘The Government has a huge job on to clean up the mess after 14 years of chaos and misrule from the Conservatives.
‘One toxic Tory legacy was the undervaluing of public sector workers. Paying them properly is both the right thing to do and will help get our economy moving.
‘We have seen some positive action from the new Government, with above inflation pay awards already in place. But, GMB’s public sector members are clear: this must be a start and not a finish.’
Tory business and trade spokesman Kevin Hollinrake warned Labour risked rewiring the economy back to a time where union bosses held the country to ransom in the 1970s
Labour’s 1978-79 Winter of Discontent saw strikes by waste collectors which led to rubbish filling London’s streets
Aslef picket line outside Reading Station in April during crippling rail strikes
Sir Keir defended Labour’s new deal for workers, saying ‘business leaders are not knocking on my door saying they want to rip up employee rights’.
Speaking at the TUC Congress in Brighton, he said British people want policies that are ‘pro-business and pro-worker’.
‘I know there will always be disputes, of course there will, but in all seriousness, there is a mood of change in the business world,’ the Prime Minister said.
‘A growing understanding of the importance of good work and the shared self-interest that comes from treating the workforce with respect and dignity, the productivity gain of fairness, and congress – that is an opportunity to be grasped.
‘Trust me – business leaders are not knocking on my door saying they want to rip up employee rights. They don’t tell me the problems they face will be solved by coming for trade unions.
‘They want fair taxes, high skills and the long-term stability to invest, and that chimes precisely with what trade unions up and down the country tell me they also want: working people want good companies to make profits, attract investment and create good jobs.’
Last night Tory business and trade spokesman Kevin Hollinrake said: ‘If Keir Starmer cared about working with businesses he would listen to the howls of opposition from business leaders about his plans to strengthen the unions and force unworkable proposals on employers that will cost jobs.
‘Instead, he is just doing his union paymasters’ bidding, raising taxes and drowning businesses in a tidal wave of new French-style rules and red tape.
‘Labour must change course now or they risk rewiring the economy back to a time where union bosses held the country to ransom.’
Mr Hollinrake added: ‘Labour are plotting to rip up vital protections for workers who want to keep working, dragging Britain back to the dark days of the 1970s.’
