Question reference: S6W-23457
- Date lodged: 8 December 2023
-
Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 20 December 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of its potential impact on the delivery of emergency services, transport and health services in Scotland, what its position is on whether the UK Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 undermines (a) trade unions and (b) the fair work principle of effective worker voice, and whether it plans to cooperate with this legislation.
Answer
The Scottish Government remains strongly opposed to the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and any associated secondary legislation which affects devolved services. This legislation seeks to undermine legitimate trade union activity and does not respect the Scottish Government’s Fair Work principles. We should be working with trade unions to reach fair and reasonable settlements respecting the legitimate interest of workers, not seeking to curb their right to strike.
Under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act it is a matter for individual employers in the affected sectors to decide whether to issue work notices to trade unions specifying the workforce required to meet minimum service levels for a particular strike period. We have no intention of directing any employers within their control to issue work notices and will do all we can to oppose this appalling piece of anti-worker and anti-trade union legislation, which will undermine not enhance industrial relations.