British government moves to restrict strikes, outrages unions

London

Britain's Conservative government announced today it would seek to pass a law restricting the conditions under which workers can stage strikes in a move that outraged the country's unions.

Ministers said the "Trade Union Bill", which follows a high-profile union shutdown of London's underground rail network last week, balanced the rights of businesses and workers but left-leaning daily The Guardian called it the "biggest crackdown on trade union rights for 30 years".

The proposed law would require a turnout of at least 50 percent of members in strike ballots in order to authorise action.

Proposed strikes in key public services such as health, education, fire, transport, border security and energy would also have to be backed by 40 percent of all members eligible to vote.

Currently, a simple majority of those balloted are required to vote in favour of a strike in order to trigger one, which critics say allows a small minority of workers to call strikes.

The law would make unions ask all of their members whether they wish to pay into the union's political fund -- usually raised automatically from trade union membership fees and a major source of funding for the opposition Labour party.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said that the new rules would balance the rights of trade unions "with those of working people and business".