6.—(1) No workman employed in any of the following essential services shall go on strike:
(a)
water services;
(b)
gas services; and
(c)
electricity services.
(2) No workman employed in any essential service, not being an essential service specified in subsection (1), shall go on strike —
(a)
unless at least 14 days before striking he has given to his employer notice of intention to strike as provided by this section;
(b)
before the date of striking specified in the notice of intention to strike; or
(c)
during the pendency of any proceedings.
(3) No employer shall lock out any workman engaged in any essential service specified in subsection (1).
(4) No employer shall lock out any workman engaged in any essential service, not being an essential service specified in subsection (1) —
(a)
unless at least 14 days before locking out he has given to his workmen notice of intention to lock out as provided by this section;
(b)
before the date of locking out specified in the notice of intention to lock out; or
(c)
during the pendency of any proceedings.
(5) The notice referred to in subsection (2) shall —
(a)
be delivered to the employer or his manager;
(b)
be signed by not less than 7 workmen employed by the employer and concerned in the strike, or by 7 representatives of the trade union of which the workmen are members; and
(c)
be in accordance with Form 1 set out in Part II of the First Schedule.
(6) The notice referred to in subsection (4) shall —
(a)
be signed by the employer;
(b)
be delivered to a representative of the workmen concerned or to an officer of the trade union to which the workmen belong; and
(c)
be in accordance with Form 2 set out in Part II of the First Schedule.
(7) The employer shall cause a copy of the notice referred to in subsection (4) to be posted at 3 conspicuous places in the place of work where the workmen affected thereby are ordinarily employed.
(8) A copy of every notice which is given under subsection (2) or (4) shall be delivered to the Commissioner within 3 days after the notice is given.
(9) Every notice which is given under subsection (2) or (4) shall expire at the end of 30 days from the date of the notice.
(10) In this section, "proceedings" means —
(a)
conciliation proceedings directed by the Commissioner under section 20(2) of the Industrial Relations Act (Cap.136) or by the Minister under section 22(1) of that Act;
(b)
proceedings before an Industrial Arbitration Court in respect of a trade dispute of which that Court has cognizance by virtue of section 31 of the Industrial Relations Act; or
(c)
proceedings before a board of inquiry appointed by the Minister under section 74(1) of the Industrial Relations Act.