PCS supports campaign to make councils minimum service level law-free zones’

A coalition of campaign groups and unions led by Strike Map and the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom has launched a nationwide campaign calling on councils across Britain to refuse to implement the draconian Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act which came into force this year.

On 7 March, Fran will join other trade union leaders such as Mick Whelan (ASLEF), Daniel Kebede (NEU) and Matt Wrack (FBU) to discuss defiance of – and a coordinated response – to the new laws.

Organised by the newspaper Morning Star, the event takes place on Thursday 7 March between  6:30 and 8:30pm at Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BB. Members are encouraged to register to attend the event through Eventbrite.

Legal challenge against MSLs

Even though the UK already has the most restrictive trade union laws in Western Europe, the Minimum Service Levels Act seeks to limit the impact of a strike by forcing workers (including thousands of our members in the Border Force) to maintain a level of service through the use of minimum service levels.

The proposed laws say that when workers lawfully vote to strike in certain sectors, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they do not comply. The clear implication is that our Border Force members are not allowed to take action.

That is why PCS is working with other unions to stand together against this vindictive attempt to stop workers from winning strikes.

And since these anti-strike laws are an authoritarian crackdown on the human right to take industrial action, Mark Serwotka, in his final speech as general secretary of PCS, announced that PCS had initiated a legal challenge against the section of the Minimum Service Levels Act that will affect our members in the Border Force.

Strike Map campaign

PCS is joining Strike Map and the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom's campaign to seek councils commitment to not issue 'work notices' and support our right to strike.

Both the Scottish government and Welsh Assembly have refused to introduce MSL, so the campaign is targeted at English councils. The tactic is to mobilise trade unionists to flood local leaders with emails insisting their authorities uphold the right to strike.

The campaign aims to ensure your local area becomes a 'Minimum Service Level free zone'. Here’s what PCS is encouraging members to do:

• Write to your elected council leader urging them to not comply with the new law, and support the right to strike.
• When you get a response, let us know, we will contact you.
• Share this with everyone: friends, colleagues, your trade union branch, trades council, activist networks, etc.

Take action to defend the right to strike on the Strike Map website.

Read more about what minimum service levels are as well as why we are launching a judicial review against these restrictions on the right to strike for our members on the Border Force on PCS Knowledge (login required).