Laura Sharman 27 May 2015

Queen's speech 2015: Tougher laws on strike action

The Conservatives have pledged to ‘protect essential public services against strikes’, using today’s Queen’s Speech to confirm it will set a tougher threshold for industrial action.

Under reforms to strike laws, the Government will ban strike action in health, education, fire and transport unless the majority of eligible union members vote in favour of striking, with at least 40% needing to take part in strike ballots.

In its manifesto, the Conservatives also said they would overturn restrictions banning employers from hiring agency staff to provide cover during strike action. It also pledged to reduce trade union facility time and legislate to ensure trade unions use a transparent opt-in process for union subscriptions.

The Enterprise Bill – intended to cut red tape for small businesses and drive forward economic growth – also outlines plans to improve the business rates system ahead of the planned reform in 2017 and measures to allow the Valuation Office Agency to share information with local government.

As confirmed earlier this week, the Government will also scrap six figures ‘golden goodbyes’ for public sector workers, expected to be set at £95,000.

Chancellor George Osborne said this measure would ensure ‘fairness and value for money for the taxpayer.’ In 2013, 1,838 public sector employees received redundancy payouts over £100,000.

Four-day working win image

Four-day working win

Cllr Bridget Smith, leader of South Cambs DC, reflects on the results of the council’s four-day week trial and calls on Labour to back the shorter week.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Contract Administrator

Telent
Competitive
Reporting into the Administration Manager you will provide Administrative Support to the Contracts, controlling documentation and day to day administration in support of the Admin Manager, Contract Manager and Service Delivery Manager. England, Kent, Chatham
Recuriter: Telent

Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention (A&I), South Essex

Essex County Council
£36101.0000 - £48622.0000 per annum
Assessment and Intervention (A&I) These teams are the gateway through which children, young people, parents/carers and other agencies gain access to Children and Families services. England, Essex, Basildon
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Traffic Installation Technician

Telent
Company Van + Overtime Options
Telent are looking for a Traffic Installation Technician to join the Traffic Signal Engineering team - this is a FIELD BASED role that will predominantly cover the Salisbury / Wiltshire and Hampshire regions. England, Wiltshire, Salisbury
Recuriter: Telent

Cabinet Assistant

Essex County Council
£24394.0000 - £28699.0000 per annum
Cabinet AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£28,699 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - West Essex

Essex County Council
£36101.0000 - £48622.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
This position is open to Experienced and Newly Qualified Social Workers (NQSW). The starting salary for a NQSW is £33,885 per annum, rising to £36,10 England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.