THE Tory government’s anti-strikes Bill represents a “huge step backwards for tackling workplace racism,” the TUC warned today as it joined major race equality groups to condemn the legislation.

The Equality Trust, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and the Runnymede Trust sided with the union body to slam the potential impact of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, which is set to be considered by peers after being rushed through the Commons in late January. 

The widely condemned legislation would empower ministers and bosses to sack workers who refuse to cross their own picket lines and provide an as yet undefined minimum service level during walkouts across six key sectors.