In the news this week
This week's major news event was the Conservative Party Conference, and the inevitable mass protests that it brings. More than 50,000 people are estimated to have joined the weekend's impressive demonstration against the privatisation of the NHS, which snaked its way through Manchester on Sunday 29 September 2013 and at some points reached a mile long. Unfortunately, it seems many mass media outlets missed this, as coverage was disproportionately scarce following the event, and the Metro reported that BBC Political Correspondent Norman Smith was told by security staff at the Conference that he was not allowed to film the protest live from the balcony. No reason for this was given.
As expected, union bashing has been one of the themes of the Conference, with both Michael Gove and Grant Shapps giving anti-union speeches.
Elsewhere, as the Tories continue to celebrate a mediocre rise in the economy, research suggests that for most of us, it really makes no difference. XpertHR's Annual Review of Pay trends showed that companies the average worker actually received a real-term cut in pay. In the 12 months to the end of August 2013, the average pay settlement was 2%, dropping far behind inflation at 3.3% (as measured by the Retail Prices Index).
But not only did workers find their living standards falling, they were also treated more poorly this year - when the economy is supposed to have grown - compared with last year. In the 12 months to August 2013, the median pay increase was 2%, compared with 2.3% in the 12 months to August 2012.Health and safety in GPs' offices was also given a black mark this week after it was revealed that one-third of the family doctors do not have access to Occupational Health support. The research, conducted by GP trade magazine Pulse, found that 32% of primary care trusts providing information to the publication had no contracts in place to provide occupational health to GPs and those they work with. One GP partaking in the study admitted he had spent £2,000 on private psychotherapy to help him stay well at work.
Collective bargaining
As regular readers will know, the Institute of Employment Rights is currently promoting its latest policy proposals Reconstruction after the Crisis: a manifesto for collective bargaining and further resources have been added this week.
The full video of our packed-out Trade unions: new rights; new freedoms fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference last week, with speeches from Professor Keith Ewing, John Hendy QC, Katy Clarke (Labour MP), Sarah Veale of the TUC, and Len McCluskey.
Free podcasts recorded at our TUC Fringe Meeting, with speeches from Professor Keith Ewing, John Hendy QC, RMT General Secretary Bob Crow, Unite's Jim Mowatt, NUT's Amanda Brown and our special guest Ian Richards of the UN, who explains the situation facing UN staff in dangerous situations now that Ban Ki-Moon has disrecognised all trade unions.
For more on the Manifesto for collective bargaining, take a look at our easy-access hub, where you will also find the ten-point manifesto, ways to buy the publication, and pictures of us at TUC Congress 2013.
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Trade union rights
Education Secretary Michael Gove is hardly a friend of the unions, having made attacks on teaching unions NUT and NASUWT plenty of times before. At the Conservative Party Conference this week he persisted with his anti-worker ideology.
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Blacklisting
The TUC has announced a day of action next month to protest against blacklisting practices and the companies which used them to lock out trade unionists from the construction industry.
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Workplace rights
October is one of the times of year the government brings in a slew of reforms and new laws, so this week employment law has seen a number of changes.
By Sarah Glenister, IER Staff
David Cameron told the BBC's Andrew Marr this weekend that he would withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (EHRC) if he thought such an action was necessary to "keep our country safe".
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Pay and benefits
By Matthew Egan, assistant national officer for Unison
It is conservatively estimated that around 150-200,000 homecare workers are routinely paid less than the National Minimum Wage mainly because they are not paid for the time they spend travelling between the homes of the people they care for.
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Equality
Advocate General of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) Juliane Kokott has agreed with a case brought by public sector union Unison stating that the intended mothers of children born through surrogacy should receive the same maternity rights as women who are able to give birth to their own children.
By Kate Ewing
Kate Ewing, Legal Officer for Unison, provides an exclusive briefing to the Institute of Employment Rights on a landmark case to afford intended mothers in surrogacy arrangements the same maternity rights as other mothers.
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Help support our charity and the work we do, as well as advertising your services or products to 5,600 trade unionists, solicitors, academics and others interested in trade union and employment rights. Contact sarah@ier.org.uk for more details.
New publications
By Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC
This publication presents an evidence-based policy proposal for the state encouragement of collective bargaining, and particularly sectoral bargaining, as a tried-and-tested means of reducing income inequality and stimulating the sustainable recovery of a strong and resilient economy.
By Rebecca Tuck, Betsan Criddle & Stuart Brittenden
SPECIAL OFFER – 4 for the price of 1! Buy Labour Law Highlights 2013 and get Labour Law Highlights 2012, 2011, and 2010 for free! Already got past copies of Labour Law Highlights? You can still buy this year’s copy on its own for the usual price of £8.
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Forthcoming events
Our autumn events are our most popular and are already selling out, so make sure you book in early!
Employment Law Update 2013
Wednesday 09 October 2013
A one-day conference
Conference Chamber, 9th Floor, UNISON, Euston Road
Wednesday 06 November 2013
A one-day conference
The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
Tupe Update: The New Regulations
Wednesday 23 October 2013
A one-day conference
UNISON, Euston Road, London
Labour Migration in Hard Times
Wednesday 20 November 2013
A one-day conference
Diskus Room, Unite Building, Theobalds Road, London
New on the Coalition Timeline
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Trade union rights
- Gove: Unions put themselves than children (04/10/2013)
Pay and benefits
- Pay barely increases (01/10/2013)
Equality
- Employers no longer liable for third-party harassment (01/10/2013)
Health and safety
- RIDDOR and first-aid protection cut (01/10/2013)
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