Downing Street has landed a fresh blow on the UK’s rail unions as Boris Johnson renews threats to bring in strike busting legislation.
Johnson’s official spokesman told journalists today that the PM would not rule out new laws that would force a minimum number of public transport staff to still work during strikes.
The legislation – which is being drawn up by transport secretary Grant Shapps – was already promised in the 2019 Conservative election manifesto.
It comes as the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) today announced a crippling 24-hour London Tube strike on 6 June – just one day after the end of the Diamond Jubilee long weekend.
It will be the latest in a string of increasingly disruptive Tube strikes by Transport for London (TfL) staff who are protesting against low pay increases and job cuts.
The RMT is also balloting members over whether to hold a 12-hour rail strike, which the union says would be the most disruptive in 30 years.
Johnson’s spokesman said “we’re focussed on ensuring employers and the unions reach an agreement wherever possible”, but that the government was prepared to act to “protect” the public.
Johnson’s spokesman said: “I think any disruption of this sort can have an impact on peoples’ lives and their ability to get to work. It would be deeply unfair when families are already suffering with some of those global [cost of living] challenges.”
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