Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood has hit out at the Westminster coalition government’s plan to launch a two-pronged attack on public services.
Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review later this month, which is expected to see frontline public services slashed, the Tories have proposed bringing in anti-trade union legislation that would make it harder for workers to go on strike.
London mayor Boris Johnson has been leading the charge against trade unions in the past week in a bid to prevent London underground staff from withdrawing their labour in their latest dispute with employers.
Ms Wood, who represents the South Wales Central region, raised the issue during First Minister’s questions in the Senedd this week.
She said: “With the Tory and Lib-Dem Government in London about to launch a two-pronged attack on public services by slashing jobs and talking about pushing through legislation that would make it harder for workers to go on strike, it seems inevitable that major industrial disputes are looming.
“We already have some of the toughest anti-trade union laws in the western world. Therefore, will you condemn this assault on the right of workers to withdraw their labour when their terms and conditions are squeezed?”
Carwyn Jones subsequently agreed to condemn the Con/Dem coalition.
