Angry trade unions have hit back at the new proposed strike law which they argue "attacks" the working people.

Worcester Trade Union said the Government is restricting the right to strike and the proposed law should "ring alarm bells in everyone's ears".

The controversial anti-strike legislation cleared its first hurdle as the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill was considered in the House of Commons on Monday evening (January 16).

However, Worcester's MP Robin Walker defended the proposed legislation saying it does not restrict the right to strike but does set minimum service levels which have to be in place.

The proposed legislation will require union members from key services to continue working to retain a "minimum level" of service during set strike days.

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A spokesperson for the Worcester Trade Union Council said: "In response to the Government’s intent to restrict the right to strike, Worcester Trades Union Council, as part of a national TUC campaign, will be organising activities to draw public attention to the threat to workers’ rights.

"The right to withdraw one’s labour in order to defend jobs, pay and conditions is a fundamental human right.

"This latest attack by the Government on working people should sound alarm bells for us all."

Worcester News:

The sectors affected if the law is passed would be health, education, fire and rescue and transport services.

The government said the proposed legislation aims to prevent public lives from being put at risk.

If employees are not compliant with the new legislation they may risk losing their jobs if they do not work when required.

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MP Robin Walker said: “The proposed legislation does not restrict the right to strike but it does set minimum service levels which have to be in place when strike action affects essential public services.

"This is not an unreasonable requirement and is in place in many other countries.

"I would always urge both government and the unions to engage as much as possible in order to avoid strikes and during my time as a minister I kept up a useful and constructive dialogue with trades unions.

"However the public expects the Government to protect essential public services and I think it is right that we do so.”