Train drivers' union warns government over anti-strike law

BIRMINGHAM, England

With the British government expected to announce legislation to enforce “minimum service level” in six strike-beset sectors in the coming days, including rail, education, and healthcare services, one major union leader warned that rules limiting strikes could have an unintended “knock-on effect."

The statement came through as almost no trains are running in most parts of England on Thursday as train drivers at 15 operating companies go on strike.

"We're currently – with 11 other trade unions – taking legal action against the last set of laws they put in place, and we would look at doing that in future as well," Mick Whelan, general secretary of the ASLEF union, which represents 96% of train drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales, told Sky News.

The laws will require a proportion of union members to continue working to retain a "minimum level" of service. Strikes could be deemed illegal if unions refused to provide the minimum level.

“If the government gets away with what it's doing, we'll be left with an inherently unsafe railway system. We already have the most draconian and authoritarian strike laws and trade union laws in Europe,” Whelan added.

ASLEF’s leadership is due to meet Huw Merriman, the rail minister, on Monday.