Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cameron considers fresh anti-strike laws

 

Oliver Wright
Thursday 13 January 2011 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Government could bring in fresh anti-strike legislation if unions continue to threaten action to coincide with the Olympics or the Royal Wedding. David Cameron said he was "happy to look" at new laws that would prevent strikes unless more than half of the members who were balloted voted in favour.

The proposal is designed to stop strike action with low turnouts. Mr Cameron also co-authored an article with Boris Johnson, the London Mayor, in The Sun, accusing unions of "cynical timing" by threatening strikes during big national events. "The Royal Wedding and the Olympics present amazing opportunities for our country to show the world the best of British," they wrote.

Len McCluskey, general secretary-designate of the Unite union, said: "We have in place legislation from the 1980s that already makes it very difficult to call a strike – and even when the ballot is conducted to the highest standards the courts often intervene on a technicality."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in