It’s time for Boris to take on the rail unions
Spectator (UK)MAY 2022
Events in Scotland have shown that even renationalizing transport cannot pacify unions - organized labor merely puts union members above the welfare and convenience of rail passengers. Sooner or later, the Conservative government will have to enact the only solution proven to effectively counter the obstructions caused by unions who seek to preserve redundant staff - destroy them altogether.
Desperate efforts by politicians to curtail the legality of industrial action should be fought, especially considering the harsh austerity measures that have seen ticket office closures, the loss of thousands of jobs, and widespread pay freezes since the pandemic. Shapps is proposing limiting fundamental employment rights to deflect criticism over the cost of living crisis.
The failure of collective bargaining amidst historically low union membership rates will only result in more pressure on the government to help those on lower incomes. The destruction of organized labor in the UK will make things worse for the Conservatives as the number of vulnerable households rises.