MERIDEN MP, Saqib Bhatti, has spoken in favour of the controversial ‘anti-strike’ law during a debate in the House of Commons.
Mr Bhatti supports the Government’s proposals to bring in minimum service level protections in vital public services, including health, fire, and transport services.
The Conservative MP also praised the recent responsible action by the Royal College of Nursing and nurses’ professionalism in maintaining safe levels of service during their recent industrial action.
Speaking on the plans to introduce minimum service levels, Mr Bhatti said: “A minimum service level need not be controversial.
“If the trade unions offer a safe level of service at the very least, there is no need to have a minimum service level.
“We saw that with the Royal College of Nursing, which maintained a safe level of service.
“That just goes to show how selfless and professional those nurses were while exercising their democratic right, and I am grateful to them for protecting the public.
“I certainly hope that, in the next independent pay review, we reach a positive result and avoid future strike action.”
The Government says the new legislation balances the right to strike with maintaining minimum levels of service during industrial action and this legislation will bring the UK in line with a number of other European nations who already have statutory minimum service levels.
