Employers could be allowed to use agency staff to replace striking workers under plans being considered by the government, it has been reported.
Grant Shapps, secretary of state for transport, told the Sunday Telegraph the government intends to repeal legislation that currently prevents agencies from supplying staff to do the work of striking employees in response to planned rail strikes later this month.
In an interview with the newspaper, Shapps said the measures "would come in during this particular dispute, if it can't be resolved", and would affect all sectors, not just the rail industry.
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“We will be looking at the full suite of modernisation that's required,” Shapps told the Sunday Telegraph. “The country must not continue to be held to ransom. These strikes are incredibly premature and we will use every possible lever to ensure that the public is protected in the future in particular.”
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) is planning three days of strikes on 21, 23 and 25 June that are expected to cause major disruptions to the majority of the UK’s rail network. A London Underground strike also is planned for 21 June.
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