THE entire trade union movement will rally behind any worker who is sacked under new laws to stop effective strikes, TUC leader Paul Nowak warns in a new year message today.

New regulations enforcing minimum service levels during industrial action will be introduced in railways and the Border Force before being more widely rolled out.

Tory ministers introduced the laws after hundreds of thousands of workers including nurses, teachers, junior doctors, civil servants and train drivers took part in a wave of strike action sparked by soaring inflation and stagnating pay.

Critics have warned that the law aims to shut down workers’ rights to take industrial action.

Unions have vowed to fight the law, under which workers could face being sacked if minimum levels of service are not maintained.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Nobody withdraws their labour lightly. It is the last resort when employers refuse to talk and refuse to compromise.

“The action taken by union members in 2023 forced bosses across the country back to the negotiating table and secured better deals.

“Unions will do everything in our power to defend that right to strike. It is a cornerstone of our democracy.”

Mr Nowak said that trade unionists “won’t be intimidated by this government, and we won’t be bullied.”

He said: “The Tories’ Strikes Act is toxic, unworkable, undemocratic and likely illegal and it’s a brazen attempt to try stop working people winning better pay and conditions.

“The entire trade union movement will rally behind any worker who is sacked for exercising their right to strike.”

The Royal College of Nursing said it “totally opposed” the new law, with general secretary Pat Cullen warning nursing staff could be forced to work during an otherwise legal strike or face the sack.

She said: “The Strikes Act is dangerous and unwise.

“Ministers are seeking to silence nursing staff, stopping them from speaking out over patient safety concerns or protesting poor pay and working conditions.

“The legislation means that nursing staff could be conscripted to work or face the sack during legal industrial action.

“Nursing staff will be appalled that ministers are seeking to curtail their freedom to speak out as we go into a general election year.”