In recent months we have seen a significant rise in industrial action across multiple sectors, including public transport; postal workers; nursing and ambulance staff; university employees; Border Force staff and civil servants.

Strikes look set to continue into 2023; the British Medical Association is currently balloting junior doctors on potential strike action for March 2023 and disruption is also likely to hit schools in Scotland as teacher strikes are planned for January 2023.

Despite at least some public weariness over industrial action that has lasted for months, a recent survey for The Independent newspaper found support for strikers continues to outweigh those against the action. Members of the public, for the most part, seem sympathetic to workers’ rejections of pay offers which are well below the current inflation rate of 10.7%.

Insisting that it has been reasonable in following the recommendations of the pay review bodies for the public sector, the Government has so far rejected any further concessions on pay and has taken a range of measures to curb the effect of union actions.

Cover for striking workers

The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (the Regulations), came into force on 21 July 2022, as a prompt response by the Government to increased union activity. In summary, the Regulations remove the previous prohibition on employers hiring temporary workers to cover for striking staff.

In response, various...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnNob29zbWl0a...