Zac Goldsmith: Make TfL a public service to prevent strikes

Zac Goldsmith today called for Transport for London to be classified as an “important public service” under the Government’s controversial Trade Union Bill to make it harder for workers to strike.

The Tory mayoral candidate said tougher strike ballot rules should be put in place to protect Londoners from unnecessary disruption.

Under the Government’s proposals, the Bill, which returns to the Commons tomorrow, requires half of all union members to vote for a strike.

But Mr Goldsmith has written to Business Secretary Sajid Javid, asking him to go further to guarantee the smooth running of the transport network.

He believes that 40 per cent of the entire workforce must be in favour before Tube strikes are permitted.

The move could put the transport system on level pegging with other “important public services” such as schools, hospitals, the fire service, nuclear energy and border security.

It is likely to anger union chiefs, but be popular with Londoners fed up with disruption caused by strikes.

Mr Goldsmith said: “I am urging the Government to have Transport for London classified as important public service, requiring a higher threshold before strike action can take place.

“The legitimate right to strike shouldn’t be used lightly — it is reasonable that strikes should be genuinely supported by a majority of union members. This matters because the people hardest hit are the lowest paid; part-time and shift workers who lose a whole day’s pay because they can’t get to work. “

He attacked Labour mayoral rival Sadiq Khan, who is opposing the legislation, over his close links with the unions. Mr Khan accepted more than £100,000 from the unions for his mayoral bid and general election battles in Tooting.

Analysis from Mr Goldsmith’s campaign shows that half of the last 10 Tube strikes for which data is available would not have met the higher threshold.

New York and San Francisco are among cities which ban the right of their transport workers to strike at all, but Tory aides insist that Mr Goldsmith does not plan to go that far.