Should the Right to Strike Have Limits? Episode 504

In this episode, Niall takes calls from listeners after yesterday’s London Underground strike that brought the capital to a standstill and cost the economy billions. Tube workers walked out over disputes on pay, pensions, and proposed job cuts, leaving millions of commuters stranded.

The big question Niall asks: should essential services like transport be banned from striking?

Callers deliver passionate opinions from both sides:

Pro-ban: “When nurses, firefighters or transport workers strike, it’s the public who pays the price. Essential services should never stop — find another way to negotiate.”

Anti-ban: “Without the right to strike, workers have no leverage. If you ban strikes, you’re condemning essential staff to accept whatever terms they’re given.”

With emotions running high, the episode explores whether strikes in essential services are a legitimate fight for fairness — or an unacceptable disruption to daily life.