New Strike Laws An 'Attack on Workers' Rights'

Trade unions and the Government are on a collision course again, after the Conservatives unveiled new laws aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's chaos on London Underground and some train routes. A new Trade Union Bill will require a 50% turnout in strike ballots and 40% of support in disputes in health, education, fire, transport, border security and energy sectors. There will also be a four-month time limit for industrial action, following a teachers' strike that relied on a two-year old ballot, and safeguards to ensure non-strikers can go to work without intimidation.