Hester Jewitt considers the impact of the election on employment law
Now the dust has settled on the Conservatives’ surprise majority win, and David Cameron has promised to use his majority to implement his manifesto in full, it’s time to assess what the next five years has in store.
The Queen’s Speech announced a number of proposals that will impact employment law.
Industrial action
First on the legislative agenda is likely to be the Conservatives’ promise to make “significant changes” to strike laws.
Currently a strike can be called by a simple majority of those voting in a ballot and there is no minimum turnout requirement. By introducing a minimum 50% turnout requirement for strike ballots, the Conservatives intend to end “undemocratic and disruptive” strikes. The presumption being that those that do not vote in a strike ballot are against the action.
For “essential public services” such as health, education, fire and transport, the bar will be set even higher. Strikes will need the support of at least 40% of all those entitled
