While Business Secretary Jane Hunt said the change, which was accelerated as a result of ongoing rail strikes, was necessary to lift the “outdated blanket ban” on using agency workers to cover official work, critics say that the measure is similar in “scab charter.” Hunt told the Commons: “Some unions seem to be trying to create maximum disruption in a bid to stay relevant rather than constructively seeking agreement with employers and avoiding conflict.” The TUC had urged MPs to vote against the “pernicious anti-union measures”, which were slammed as “anti-business and anti-work” by Labor deputy leader Angela Rayner. “They will endanger public safety, destroy workers’ rights and encourage the worst practices. And mostly they won’t prevent strikes, they’ll cause them,” Rayner said. Hunt dismissed safety concerns and said these changes would not affect the right to strike. Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke voted against the plans, arguing they reduce the intended impact of industrial action. “If people are going to lose their ability to have an effect when they withdraw their work, then I’m afraid they’ve effectively lost their ability to withdraw their work,” said the Elmet and Rothwell MP. This was the first time Selbrooke had voted against the government since being elected in 2010. Labor MP Ian Byrne said the Government should vote to protect workers’ rights, rather than introduce a “bad employer charter”. The change comes hours after further strike action was confirmed, this time involving drivers from eight train companies who are set to walk out over pay. Although agency workers can now fill in for those on strike, questions remain about the number of reserve teachers, nurses and train drivers who can step in as replacements. With the National Union of Education and the NASUWT threatening to strike in the autumn, Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis has offered to return to the classroom if those threats are realised. Separately, a Labor motion to scrap regulations to increase the level of compensation a court can award in the event of an unlawful strike was defeated by 290 votes to 201.
