­UNIONS hit out today at new government rules allowing businesses to break strikes by calling in agency staff to do the jobs of absent workers.

The changes to trade union legislation came into effect as of today, following a wave of strikes by transport and communication workers in recent weeks.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: “This is the latest step in a clampdown on democratic dissent which every trades unionist and democrat must oppose.

“The use of agency labour to break strikes is not only unethical and morally reprehensible, it is totally impracticable.

“Agency workers will not have the skill, training or relevant competences to drive a train, to do complex maintenance work on the track, to signal trains or to do a whole host of safety-critical work on the network.

“Instead of trying to reduce trade union rights which are already the worst in western Europe, the government should be unshackling Network Rail and the train operating companies so we can secure a negotiated settlement on the railways.”

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This is a recipe for disaster. Unions and industry bodies have both warned ministers against these reckless plans.

“Using agency workers to try and break strikes would put these workers in an appalling position, worsen disputes and poison industrial relations.

“This Government wants to undermine the fundamental right to strike by allowing agency workers to be used as strike breakers across the economy.

“And these cynical and ideological laws are a threat to public safety too.

“Bringing in agency staff who haven’t been fully trained to deliver specific roles could put themselves and members of the public at risk.

“At a time when millions are struggling to make ends meet, ministers are using precious parliamentary time to attack workers’ ability to bargain for higher wages.

“This is a government in turmoil, which is spoiling for fight. Ministers should help to de-escalate industrial disputes – not inflame them.”

The changes also include raising the maximum damages that can be awarded against a union when strike action is found to be unlawful from £250,000 to £1 million.