Irish and UK unions warn Strikes Act could breach post-Brexit deal and “stoke UK-EU tensions”
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Pernicious legislation is “dire” for workers in the UK and across Europe
The TUC and ICTU have today (Thursday) joined forces to warn about the impact of the Conservatives’ Strikes Act on future UK-EU relations.
The Irish and UK union bodies say that the legislation could put the UK in breach of its labour obligations under the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement.
They add that this could lead to “hefty sanctions” and “stoke tensions” between the UK and the EU.
In a joint statement, the TUC and ICTU say:
“This matters for the UK’s future trading relationship with Europe – including the Republic of Ireland.
“It risks putting the UK in breach of its labour standards commitments in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU – exposing the UK to hefty sanctions, and stoking UK-EU tensions.
“This is the last thing working people in Northern Ireland and the wider UK need – and it’s no good for working people in the Republic of Ireland and the wider EU either.”
The warning comes as unions from the UK and Ireland meet at the annual Council of the Isles to discuss key issues facing working people in the UK and Ireland.
The EU Commission recently put its concerns about the legislation to the UK government.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“The Strikes Act is dire for workers in the UK and across Europe.
“The UK’s new laws are an attack on the fundamental right to strike – they’re unworkable, undemocratic and very likely unlawful.
“This really matters for UK trade with Europe.
“It could put the UK in breach of its post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU. That could mean financial penalties on the UK, which would hurt workers and businesses.
“And it would sour the UK’s relationship with the EU – including the Republic of Ireland.
“That’s why we’ve joined forces with Irish unions to warn about this pernicious legislation.
“Ministers are playing fast and loose with international commitments because they want to distract from their appalling economic record.”
The Conservative government’s Strikes Act is a brazen attack on the right to strike.
It’s unworkable, undemocratic and very likely unlawful.
This matters for the UK’s future trading relationship with Europe – including the Republic of Ireland.
It risks putting the UK in breach of its labour standards commitments in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement with the EU – exposing the UK to hefty sanctions and stoking UK-EU tensions.
This is the last thing working people in Northern Ireland and the wider UK need – and it’s no good for working people in the Republic of Ireland and the wider EU either.
That’s why the EU commission was right to put on record its concerns about the legislation to the UK government.
Ministers should raise the bar on workers’ rights – not lower it.
Notes to editors:
-About ICTU: ICTU is the largest civil society organisation on the island of Ireland, representing and campaigning on behalf of some 800,000 working people. There are currently 44 unions affiliated to Congress, north and south of the border.
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
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