The last two and a half years have seen a dramatic revival in trade union militancy, with working days lost through strikes reaching their highest level for more than thirty years. The arrival of a Labour government has already seen markedly more generous settlements than the Conservatives offered – and the new administration has committed to legislation intended to boost union power. It’s a situation that is unlikely to end well – for businesses and for workers.

If the government is not careful, we could end up with a situation like that of France

Keir Starmer has vowed to repeal the Conservatives’ 2016 Trade Union Act (which imposed voting hurdles which unions had to overcome before strike action) and the 2023 Minimum Service Levels Act (which was supposed to provide skeleton services in the event of disputes in key sectors, though it’s never been used). These changes should make it easier for unions to strike and make their strikes more effective. Starmer’s government plans to permit electronic balloting, which union leaders have sought for some time, and to make recognition by employers easier to achieve. There is also a proposed right for union officials to enter workplaces – both real and virtual – to seek new recruits, and a requirement for employers to inform staff of their right to join a union.

Some unionists are pressing for more, arguing for repeal of........

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