Watch Sunderland residents brand PM candidates’ pledges to ban key service strikes as a ‘disgrace’

Sunderland residents have described the ability to strike as a “fundamental” right with some people branding Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak’s pledges to introduce legislation to prevent industrial action in key services as a “disgrace”.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Mrs Truss and Mr Sunak made the comments during a recent leadership debate to be the next Prime Minister.

When asked whether they would would “ban strikes in essential public services like the railways,” Mr Sunak replied: “Yes, it’s a manifesto promise and we need to deliver on it.”

Mrs Truss added: “I’ll do it.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The question arose after several days of industrial action by the RMT railway workers had prevented many people getting to work and paralysed large sections of the economy.

This Saturday (August 13) will see train drivers from an number of providers, including London North East Railway walk out, with further RMT national strikes scheduled for Thursday August 18 and Saturday August 20.

The threat to ban industrial action drew a strong reaction from trade union leaders who described it as a “declaration of war against the working people” – a view shared by many Sunderland residents shopping at the Galleries.

Read More
‘Tax energy companies’ massive profits,’ say Sunderland residents as people stru...
Retired teacher Lester Crawford, 67, feels the pledge to ban strike action in key services was made to gain support in the contest to be the next Prime Minister.Retired teacher Lester Crawford, 67, feels the pledge to ban strike action in key services was made to gain support in the contest to be the next Prime Minister.
Retired teacher Lester Crawford, 67, feels the pledge to ban strike action in key services was made to gain support in the contest to be the next Prime Minister.

Retired teacher Margaret Dunn, 68, from Washington, said: “I think it’s a disgrace. I also think members of the Labour Party need to remember they were brought into existence by the trade unions and should be speaking out more against this threat.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Husband William Dunn, 70, a retired joiner, added: “I’d be strongly against such legislation, even for key services. It’s a fundamental worker’s right to strike.”

Former travel company owner Clair Grimes, 52, and son Ben Grimes 22, from Seaham, believe removing the right to strike would place employees in a very vulnerable situation.

Ben said: “It would leaves workers with very little power over pay and conditions.”

Ben Grimes, 22, with his mother Clair Grimes, 52.Ben Grimes, 22, with his mother Clair Grimes, 52.
Ben Grimes, 22, with his mother Clair Grimes, 52.

Clair added: “Even as a former business owner with employees I believe as a last resort everyone should have the right to strike. Legislation for strike action is currently very tight and it’s already difficult to meet the criteria for a legal strike.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It’s a sentiment shared by engineer Colin Wilson, 41, from Washington, who said: “It’s the only way people can have any influence if they believe they’re being treated unfairly.”

Retired English teacher, Lester Crawford, 67, from Chester-le-Street believes there may have been ulterior motives for the two remaining Conservative Party leader candidates making the pledge.

He said: “I believe they’re both prone to knee-jerk reactions based on what they think will get public support. I fundamentally disagree with any such legislation as in many cases it’s the only influence people have to protect their situation.”

Karl Burns, 62, believes the trade unions could learn from Japan when it comes to the best course of industrial action.Karl Burns, 62, believes the trade unions could learn from Japan when it comes to the best course of industrial action.
Karl Burns, 62, believes the trade unions could learn from Japan when it comes to the best course of industrial action.

Retired Civil Servant Karl Burns, 62, from Washington, spent time living in Japan and believes the unions should adopt the strike action he experienced while living in the Far East.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “In Japan, when people go on strike, they still provide services so it doesn’t penalise the general public, but they don’t take any payment. No one is disadvantaged apart from the companies and I think if the unions adopted this approach they’d get more public support.”

Former nurse Maureen Wood, 67, from Springwell Village, is against the legislation but feels “now is not the time”.

She added: “We are just coming out of Covid and the unions need to think about their actions. Many people were paid during the pandemic to sit at home.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.