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

John Hendy QC and Michael Ford were both involved in the ASLEF v UK case, a case which ended in victory for the union. In an effort to inform the discussion around the Government’s current Consultation Document (responses due in by 8th August 2007), both barristers will present an IER Briefing on the implications of the case.

John Hendy and Michael Ford will be joined by Professor Keith Ewing, President of the Institute, who will Chair the event.

Joint Fringe Meeting with the United Campaign for the Repeal of the Anti-Trade Union Laws

Meeting Room 1 (Hall B West) Brighton Conference Centre 5.30pm (or end of TUC session)

Speakers so far include:
Brian Caton, General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association (POA)
Bob Crow, General Secretary, National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
Jon Cruddas MP for Dagenham
Prof Keith Ewing, President, IER
Sally Hunt, General Secretary, University and College Union (UCU)

A conference
Thursday 4 October 2007
9.30am-4.15pm
at the UCU Conference Centre,
Britannia Street, London WC1
organised by
The Institute of Employment Rights in association with
TUC and Old Square Chambers

This is the third IER annual conference organised in association with the TUC and Old Square Chambers. The conference is timed to coincide with the introduction of new legislation, due to come in to force on 1st October. The aim is to ensure trade union

John Hendy QC, Chairman of the Institute of Employment Rights, will be updating delegates on the latest developments on the Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill at this one day conference organised by the Morning Star.

Brian Caton, General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association will also address this session of the conference and Carolyn Jones, Director of IER will Chair.

Other speakers in this session will be announced shortly.

about the seminar

In October 2004 a new statutory 3-step grievance and disciplinary procedure was introduced, with the stated objective of reducing the number of cases pursued to an Employment Tribunal. Then in 2005, new Employment Tribunal Rules and Procedures were introduced, increasing the time limits for submitting applications to Employment Tribunals in the hope that more grievances would be settled at workplace level.