Overview

The Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill aims to ensure minimum service levels are maintained during transport strikes in the UK. This involves legally obligating unions and employers to agree on minimum service levels and to face penalties if these levels aren't met.

Description

The bill amends the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. Key changes include:

• Minimum Service Levels: The Secretary of State can specify transport services requiring minimum service during strikes.
• Work Notices: Employers must provide unions with "work notices" specifying workers needed to maintain minimum service. Failure by unions to ensure these workers don't strike removes legal protection for the union in relation to the strike.
• Agreements and Determinations: Employers and unions must try to agree minimum service levels; failure leads to a determination by the Central Arbitration Committee.
• Regulations: The Secretary of State can set minimum service levels via regulations if agreements cannot be reached.
• Enforcement: The Central Arbitration Committee can issue declarations of non-compliance, and the Employment Appeal Tribunal can impose penalties.
• Damages: Limits damages awarded against unions in cases of strike action where a work notice had been issued.

Government Spending

The bill's impact on government spending is not explicitly stated in the provided text. Costs will likely arise from administration, enforcement, and any potential penalties paid to the government by the unions. However, exact figures are unavailable.

Groups Affected

• Trade Unions: Face increased obligations to maintain minimum service levels during strikes; risk losing legal protection and facing penalties for non-compliance.
• Transport Employers: Have new obligations to negotiate minimum service levels and issue work notices.
• Transport Workers: May be required to work during strikes to maintain minimum service levels; those who don’t may face consequences from the union depending on its agreements.
• Public: May experience less disruption to transport services during strikes. However, there are no guarantees and the impact varies according to the specific minimum service levels negotiated or determined.
• Central Arbitration Committee & Employment Appeal Tribunal: Increased workload in managing agreements, determining minimum service levels, and adjudicating disputes.

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