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

Voluntary Panel Members - School Appeals Service

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
This is a voluntary post with expense fee of £40.
Volunteers Needed forthe Richmond and W... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Enforcement Officer - Braintree District Council

Essex County Council
£30313.0000 - £34612.0000 per annum
Planning Enforcement Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 - £34,612 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Developer (Customer Relationship Management) RBKC613871

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£43,542 - £51,663 per annum
Use your development skills to improve housing services for our residents Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Voluntary Panel Members - School Appeals Service

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
This is a voluntary post with expense option. Fee
Volunteers Needed for the Richmond and ... Twickenham, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Transformation and Delivery Manager RBKC614495

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£64,929 - £74,220 per annum
Help us to drive transformation and change at the Council with learning Grenfell at the centre of this change. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea 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.