Digby Jones warns unions over strike action

Friday, 14 November 2003 7:43 PM

The director general of the CBI today claimed that increasing levels of industrial unrest could deter overseas investment in the UK.

Digby Jones's comments coincide with strikes at BNFL's Sellafield plant and on the London Underground, and follow wildcat strikes by firefighters and postal workers across the country.

Unions have been accused of becoming more militant in recent months, with new leaders such as Derek Simpson at Amicus and Billy Hayes of the CWU having far less sympathy with New Labour than their predecessors.

Mr. Jones claimed that the UK's economic success was built on the flexibility of its labour market, and that industrial action could damage that perception in countries such as the US.

"Our members are worried about growing militancy among trade unionists. It puts up a very bad sign for UK plc abroad,' he told the Press Association.

The outspoken business leader is also expected to launch an attack on several aspects of Government policy that are also alleged to be hampering businesses, during the CBI's annual conference next week.

Unnecessary taxation and bureaucracy - particularly resulting from European regulations - as well as infrastructure problems in areas such as transport, are likely to be high on the agenda.

Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor are expected to attend the conference in Birmingham, which starts on Sunday.

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