TORY plans to force workers to cross picket lines represent an “authoritarian attack on human rights and show the government has lost the argument” as hundreds of thousands down tools nationwide, unions warned today.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) called for a “mass movement of resistance” against new legislation, introduced to the Commons today, which would enforce minimum service level requirements across the NHS, schools, public transport and other key sectors.

The widely condemned move, which would allow bosses to sue unions and dismiss staff who refused to provide a certain level of service during walkouts, was described by Business Secretary Grant Shapps as a “common-sense” response to the biggest strike wave to sweep Britain in decades.

Addressing MPs, the member for Welwyn Hatfield played down the extreme nature of the proposals, suggesting they would bring the country into line with other European nations like Spain, where minimum service level laws already exist.

But, in a fiery debate, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner dubbed the legislation the “sacking nurses Bill” and said it is an “outright attack on the fundamental freedoms of British working people.”

Labour MP for Jarrow Kate Osborne told the Commons: “The government is turning back the clock on workers’ rights.

“Two hundred years ago the Tolpuddle Martyrs were criminalised for withdrawing their labour and deported to Australia, as were the Seven Men of Jarrow for protesting against their working conditions.

“These proposals would see NHS, education and other key workers sacked for the same crime. Workers need a pay rise, not a P45.”

Unite union, which branded the plans “another dangerous gimmick,” noted that the “evidence from abroad clearly shows this kind of legislation only forces unions to use other tactics, inflaming and prolonging disputes.”

General secretary Sharon Graham said that if Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is keen to “import good practice from other countries, he should start with banning fire and rehire, which can’t be done in Spain but is still legal in the UK.”

New TUC head Paul Nowak accused the government of being “determined to attack a fundamental British freedom — the right to strike.”

He condemned the “undemocratic, unworkable and almost certainly illegal” proposals, adding: “Conservative ministers have gone from clapping key workers to sacking key workers.

“Let’s be clear. If passed, this cynical Bill will prolong disputes and poison industrial relations — that’s why MPs must do the right thing and reject it.”

RMT leader Mick Lynch repeated his pledge to oppose the legislation — likely to pass the Commons but face a prolonged and bumpy passage through the House of Lords — in the courts if necessary. 

“One of the most important things in any democratic society is to have free trade unions,” he stressed.

“The only reason this draconian legislation is being introduced is because the government have lost the argument and want to punish workers for having the temerity to demand decent pay and working conditions.”

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack blasted the “attack on Britain’s Covid heroes and on all workers,” saying: “We need a mass movement of resistance to this authoritarian attack.”

Mick Whelan, head of train drivers’ union Aslef, said Downing Street’s “foolish ideological posturing” is doomed to fail and noted that negotiations “in good faith are the way forward.”

The call was backed by Unison leader Christina McAnea, who stressed that “ministers can’t make these disputes disappear simply by making up new laws.”

Transport union TSSA described the plans as an “affront to the British people.

“We will stand shoulder to shoulder across our trade union and labour movement to in the fight against minimum service legislation,” interim general secretary Frank Ward said.

PCS head Mark Serwotka slammed the “reprehensible, provocative and vindictive” approach, while Andy Green from the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom argued that ministers had “clearly misjudged the public mood of support for the current strike wave.”

He added: “Union members and the wider public will recognise what the government is seeking — a denial of workers’ rights — should this proposed Bill should ever become law.”