Eleven trade unions, led by the Trades Union Confederation (TUC), sought permission for a judicial review of the new regulations bringing about the change. The government tabled the regulations in July amid an increased number of strikes this year by workers ranging from lawyers to dock workers and train drivers. It comes amid a cost-of-living crisis that has led to increased wage demands from workers. The new prime minister, Liz Truss, this summer responded to the strikes with a promise of “tough and decisive action to curb the ability of unions to cripple our economy” within her first 30 days in office – although she the promise may have been delayed by the period of mourning for the queen. The chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, and the business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, have also repeatedly promised action to weaken the power of unions. Unions joining the legal action include Aslef and RMT, which have staged a series of strikes by transport workers that have severely affected the UK rail network this summer, as well as manufacturing unions GMB and Unite, the teachers’ union the NEU, and the civil servants unions FDA and PCS. They argue that the government failed to fulfill its legal duty to consult unions before service workers were transferred and that the regulations “infringe fundamental trade union rights protected by Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights”. The plan to allow companies to use agency workers to break strikes has come under fire from opposition MPs, as well as the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, a business lobby group, which argued the plan would not work. The TUC has already reported the government to the United Nations International Labor Organisation, but UK courts will have the power to force the government to repeat the decision if it is found that due process had not been followed. The request for a judicial review will present an early test of the new cabinet’s alleged anti-union stance. The government will have the opportunity to argue that judicial review should not be granted before any formal hearing. Frances O’Grady, the general secretary of the TUC, said: “The right to strike is a fundamental British freedom. But the government attacks him in broad daylight. Subscribe to Business Today Get ready for the business day – we’ll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “Threatening this right tilts the balance of power too much towards employers. It means workers can’t stand up for decent services and safety at work – or stand up for their jobs and pay. “Ministers have failed to consult with unions as required by law. And limiting the freedom to strike is a violation of international law.” The review request is being handled by Thompson Solicitors, a firm that regularly works with unions.
