Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has voiced his opposition to government plans to restrict public sector strikes during a protest march in Cardiff. Speaking at the event, he accused the Conservatives of 'taking away the most effective means of securing better pay and working conditions' with the Trade Union Bill, which is currently under consideration in the House of Lords.
Mr Corbyn did not join the march itself but addressed campaigners upon their return to the steps of the National Museum. Standing atop a fire engine, he referenced past struggles such as the miners' strike in the 1980s and defended workers' right to strike, stating that workers continue to struggle in different ways today.
The proposed legislation would require that strikes in key public services be supported by at least 40% of union members eligible to vote, a significant increase from the current requirement of a simple majority among those participating in the ballot. The UK government argues the change is necessary to ensure essential services are not disrupted by strikes supported by a small proportion of union members.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones has threatened to defy Westminster by enacting Welsh laws on strikes, even if it leads to a Supreme Court battle over jurisdiction. Mr Corbyn commended the Welsh Labour government for standing up for trade unionists in Wales, contrasting their approach with that of the Conservatives in Westminster.
