Government humiliated as High Court rules draconian anti-strike laws illegal
Legislation imposed by former Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has been overturned by the High Court in a huge victory for trade unions
Image: Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)
The government suffered a humiliating defeat after the High Court ruled illegal laws allowing bosses to bring in agency staff to cover for strikers.
The botched legislation was passed by former business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng last year, after ignoring advice from officials last year.
In a scathing decision, Judge Linden called the decision "so unjust as to be unlawful and, indeed, irrational".
This is a huge victory for more than 10 unions, including Aslef, Unite and Usdaw, who have taken legal action against ministers after complaining that the changes undermine the right to strike.
They argued that the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Placement Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022 – which lifted the ban on agency staff replacing striking workers – was unlawful.
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Picture:
AFP via Getty Images)Following the historic decision, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'This defeat is a shameful sign of the Tories, who have been found guilty of breaking the law.
“Using less qualified agency staff to provide important services risks endangering public safety, escalating conflict and poisoning industrial relations. »
And Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said it was "embarrassing" for the government.
She said: 'Parachuting untrained agency workers into the midst of industrial hostilities is neither fair nor safe for them, the public or striking staff. It is embarrassing for ministers.
"Not only did Kwasi Kwarteng help wreck the economy as chancellor. Now his bulldozing attitude when business secretary made the government extremely stupid. With his fingers firmly stuck...
Legislation imposed by former Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has been overturned by the High Court in a huge victory for trade unions
Image: Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)
The government suffered a humiliating defeat after the High Court ruled illegal laws allowing bosses to bring in agency staff to cover for strikers.
The botched legislation was passed by former business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng last year, after ignoring advice from officials last year.
In a scathing decision, Judge Linden called the decision "so unjust as to be unlawful and, indeed, irrational".
This is a huge victory for more than 10 unions, including Aslef, Unite and Usdaw, who have taken legal action against ministers after complaining that the changes undermine the right to strike.
They argued that the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Placement Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022 – which lifted the ban on agency staff replacing striking workers – was unlawful.
p>
Picture:
AFP via Getty Images)Following the historic decision, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'This defeat is a shameful sign of the Tories, who have been found guilty of breaking the law.
“Using less qualified agency staff to provide important services risks endangering public safety, escalating conflict and poisoning industrial relations. »
And Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said it was "embarrassing" for the government.
She said: 'Parachuting untrained agency workers into the midst of industrial hostilities is neither fair nor safe for them, the public or striking staff. It is embarrassing for ministers.
"Not only did Kwasi Kwarteng help wreck the economy as chancellor. Now his bulldozing attitude when business secretary made the government extremely stupid. With his fingers firmly stuck...
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