‘Scabs’ charter’ slammed

Unions have condemned the government’s “petty decision” to introduce a “scabs’ charter” after it rushed through legislation allowing agency workers to replace strikers. 


Last month, MPs voted by 289 to 202 to bring in the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses (Amendment) Regulations 2022. 


These amend the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 to remove restrictions on “providing work-seekers in industrial disputes”.


Ahead of the vote, the TUC urged MPs to reject the “pernicious” anti-union measures that will threaten public safety and worsen industrial disputes. 


TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Having slammed P&O for replacing experienced workers with agency staff, ministers are now using the same playbook.”


In a debate on the Bill in the Lords last month, Liberal Democrat peer Lord Paddick cited research by the UNISON public services union that, he pointed out, shows that “with the best will in the world, agency staff less familiar with the workplace and working practices are more likely to make mistakes, have or cause accidents and cause harm to themselves and others, mainly because of a lack of training, lack of access to protective equipment and lack of supervision”. 


ASLEF train drivers’ union general secretary Mick Whelan said the move was “not just anti-worker, but anti-British business”.