The BMA is urging the House of Lords to support Amendment 240 to the Employment Rights Bill when it is further debated next week.

We already have the support of several other trade unions representing public and private sector workers.

The amendment would make secondary industrial action legal and, the BMA believes is an important step in restoring fundamental trade union freedoms.

We believe the current legal restrictions limit workers’ ability to collectively challenge unfair conditions – particularly in an increasingly fragmented and outsourced employment landscape. 

Legalising secondary action would bring the UK closer to international norms on the right to strike and significantly strengthen the ability of working people to stand up for themselves and the services they provide and so the BMA calls on fellow trade unions and allies to join us in defending the basic right of workers to act in solidarity.