Trusts welcome move to repeal strikes laws

The government has announced that the Strikes Act and Minimum Service Levels will be repealed through the Employment Rights Bill.

Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

“NHS trust leaders will welcome this move. Months of strikes have been hugely disruptive and costly for patients, staff and the health service but the laws didn’t address any of the issues behind the walkouts - including dissatisfaction with pay, working conditions and ever-increasing demand.

“The legislation risked making industrial relations between trust leaders and frontline teams worse. When industrial relations become strained we need government and unions to get around the table and talk at the earliest opportunity to avert disruption to patient care.

“We need more investment to attract, keep and nurture highly valued healthcare staff. We need also to see a strengthening of the processes, done in collaboration with unions and employers, which allow voluntary agreements to be reached on what services are provided during strikes as well as on staffing levels.”