Following the Trade Union Rights and Freedom Bill failing to be alloted time for discussion at its first reading on 2nd March (see Hansard), John McDonnell MP has now tabled the Bill for a second reading on 19th October 2007.

To support the 2nd reading, the United Campaign has organised a demonstration and rally for 18th October at Westminster and are asking supporters to join the postcard campaign asking MPs to remain in the House of Commons on 19th October to show their support for the Bill.

Speakers at the Rally

• John Hendy QC – IER Chairman
• John McDonnell MP

about the seminar

Climate change is most definitely a union issue. Workplaces burn energy, consume resources and generate waste. Industry alone is responsible for over half of carbon dioxide emissions increasing the greenhouse effect every year.

Among trade unionists, the strength of support for unions and government to take action on environmental issues in the workplace is “overwhelming”, according to a national online trade union survey. And unions are now pressing for environmental audits in the workplace including a central role for unions.

a conference
Wednesday 5 December 2007
9.30am-4.30pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street,
London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

While we have traveled a long way in terms of equalities legislation in recent years, the complexity of discrimination legislation still makes it very difficult to tackle the deep-set
issues of inequality in the workplace.

In the past 10 years alone, we have upgraded maternity and paternity leave, introduced regulations on sexual orientation, age and religion and belief and focused on gender equality, disability and race equality duties. Yet women are still paid less than men,
disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed and a ‘sticky floor’ exists for ethnic minorities in terms of advancement in the workplace.

European Employment Law at a Crossroads
A Top Level Briefing
Thursday 10th January 2008
11.00am- 4.15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights
PLEASE NOTE THE STARTING TIME OF THE BRIEFING

About the Briefing
Once again Europe is at the centre of political debate, a debate that could have profound effects on employment rights and trade union freedoms.

Central to the debate are three issues:

What Future for Occupational Pensions?
seminar
Thursday 17th January 2008
1.30pm-4.15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

An analysis of the annual reports of the top 100 UK companies and their boardroom pensions shows that while the average executive retires aged 60 on a final salary pension worth over £3 million a year, Britain’s workers are expected to work till they drop.

Conference
6th February 2008
9.30am-4.30pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
Organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

About the conference
In August 2007, following an explosion which killed nine people, ICL Plastics were fined a mere £400,000 for health and safety breaches. Such a penalty graphically demonstrates how negligent companies can cut costs at the expense of workers’ lives without fear of
adequate financial and other legal consequences.

TUPE regulations 2006: Clarification or Confusion?
A seminar
Wednesday 12th March 2008
1.30pm-4.15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

About the seminar
The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, known as TUPE, govern how workers are treated following the transfer of a business or a change in service

Delegates and visitors to the Women’s TUC conference in Eastbourne are invited to attend a fringe meeting organised by The Morning Star and UNITE the union, to take place in the T&G Centre, Grand Parade, Eastbourne BN21 4DN.

The fringe wiill call for a campaign for:

• End to child poverty
• Equal pay
• Protection for agency and temporary workers

Speakers

• Siobhan Endean, Unite (AMICUS)
• Lorene Fabian, Chair Women’s TUC
• Anita Halpin, NUJ
• Dianna Holland, Unite (T&G)
• Carolyn Jones, IER

Globalisation: The Fightback

Following the success of last year’s June event, the Morning Star is to host a major labour movement delegate Conference, at the Mander Hall, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9BD

There will be morning and afternoon plenary sessions. There will also be afternoon workshops, one of which will be hosted by the Institute and other guest organisations, as follows:

Agency Workers: Social Justice Long Overdue
A Seminar
Monday 21st April 2008
1:30- 4:15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

About the seminar

When Andrew Miller’s Temporary and Agency Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) passed its second reading in the House of Commons on 22nd February the long promised and much needed statutory protection for agency workers came a step closer.

Due to unforseen circumstances, this seminar has had to be postponed. Details about a proposed new date for the event will be posted as soon as possible

Wednesday 14th May 2008
1:30- 4:15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
Organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

about the seminar

Due to circumstances beyond our control, this event has had to be postponed.

Thursday 5th June 2008
1.30pm to 4.15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre, Britannia Street,
London WC1

organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights

The Chair of the Institute, John Hendy QC, will address SERTUC’s International Conference.

This event brings together trade unionists and their friends in London, the South East and East of England to discuss issues of international development, politics and trade union solidarity.

This FREE event includes workshops on a wide range of issues including:

· trade unions under attack in Colombia, Iran and Iraq
· the control of water
· the future for a ‘Social Europe’
· the rise of the far right

The Quality of Working Life: Promoting a Healthy Agenda
Conference
Tuesday 24th June 2008
10.30am-4.15pm
at the Adelphi Hotel, Lime Street, Liverpool

Sponsored by: Thompsons Solicitors, the North West TUC and UNITE North West Region

About the conference

This Conference will be the first in a series of events to be held in the North West.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, this seminar has been postponed until further notice.

A half-day seminar. Speakers include:
Chris Ball, TAEN
Stephen McNair, NIACE

Full details posted here when available

Against the Backdrop of recent hostile decisions in the European Court of Justice, what national and international steps can unions take to promote fair rights and free unions?

Join us for our annual Fringe Meeting at TUC Congress in Brighton

5:30PM or end of afternoon session

Meeting Room 1 Hall B West, Brighton Centre

Chaired by John Hendy, QC, Chair, IER

• Speakers include:
  1. Tony Benn, Vice President, United Campaign
  2. Christine Blower, Acting Gen Sec NUT
  3. Brian Caton, Gen Sec POA,
  4. Bob Crow, Gen Sec RMT and United Campaign Chair

Join us for our 2nd fringe meeting at TUC Congress.

1PM or end of morning session

MEETING ROOM 4 3rd Floor Room 3

• Speakers confirmed include:
  1. Margie Jaffe, Unison
  2. Kamaljeet Jandu, GMB
  3. Sanjiv Sachdev, Kingston University and author of IER publication, The Impact of Contracting Out on Employment Relations in Public Services (2005)