Business leaders fear rise in strikes

FEARS of strikes are growing in Yorkshire with the majority of senior business figures expecting industrial action to increase in the months ahead, according to new research.

A study among clients of major law firm DLA Piper found 91% in Yorkshire expect the number of strikes to rise with 69% expecting industrial relations issues to hinder the country’s economic recovery.

The CBI has suggested forcing trade unions to secure the participation of 40% of members in strike ballots for them to be valid with London mayor Boris Johnson arguing the limit should be 50%.

More than three quarters of those who took part in the survey in Yorkshire backed the call for a minimum threshold to be imposed and half called for Government intervention to prevent interruption to transport and communications.

Guy Lamb, head of employment law at DLA Piper in Leeds, said: “As the threat of a double dip recession remains, it is worrying that industrial unrest is on the rise and potentially could thwart economic recovery. 

“In a volatile economy, employers face multiple risks and challenges making it imperative to focus resources and attention on employee relations to protect and nurture performance and profits. 

“We welcome and support the high level of priority that employers have given to employee relations in the study.  The study’s findings provide strong encouragement for the Government from business leaders to tighten the laws around strike action.”