Christians can support striking workers in good conscience

With new legislation on it’s way that would limit the rights of some workers to strike, Tony Wilson says Christians should oppose the government’s plans to crack down on industrial action

A new bill aimed at limiting the impact of strike action has recently passed its second reading in the House of Commons. The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill seeks the right to force workers intent on industrial action to resume their duties under threat of losing their job.

How can Christians think through the ethical issues behind this legislation? Is the right to withdraw labour so fundamental that it is unthinkable to remove it?

Starting with the Bible, we read that work is something that dignifies the individual. A quick romp through the book of Proverbs makes it clear that choosing not to work is the path to all kinds of ruin. So, starting with the premise that work is a good thing we can agree that the withdrawal of labour is to be used in exceptional circumstances.