News Brief 29/11/2013

Submitted by sglenister on Fri, 29/11/2013 - 18:00

In the news this week

Following recent news that the UK has now entered an economic recovery, new research has shown that any improvements are being felt by those at the top of the ladder significantly more than those at hte bottom.

Executive pay is rising 20 times faster than that of the average worker, the figures from Income Data Services showed.

We've gone into more depth on a wide range of stories this week. Click through on the stories below to read more.

New on the Coalition Timeline

Click here to see the Coalition Timeline

Equality

Cop-out shared parental leave law announced (29/11/2013)
Equality is not possible, says Boris (27/11/2013)

Increasing vulnerability in the workplace

Greed is good, says Boris (27/11/2013)

Time is running out to support the Shrewsbury 24!

Sign the petition to fight for justice for the Shrewsbury 24

The Shrewsbury 24 Campaign seeks to overturn the unjust prosecution of 24 building workers who were charged following the first ever national building workers strike in 1972. They picketed building sites in Shrewsbury during the dispute and were prosecuted in Shrewsbury Crown Court in 1973. They became known as the "Shrewsbury 24".

There is just three weeks left to sign the petition. Please put your name to it and share widely.

Last chance to join the conversation on equality

Book now to avoid disappointment

This week, London Mayor Boris Johnson asserted that the world cannot be equal due to naturally occurring differences in people's IQ.

With such ideology at the top of the Conservative Party, it is urgent for the trade union movement to be the purveyor of the most innovative ideas and proposals on equality.

At this conference, the UK's leading experts in equality will be joining delegates to present the latest changes to the law and discuss what can be done to protect our workers.

Book now

Labour Migration

How the UK can escape becoming the nasty country of the EU

By Sarah Glenister

László Andor, the EU employment commissioner, has warned the UK that new restrictions against migrants could see it portrayed as the "nasty country" of the EU. The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) recently conducted extensive research into labour migration and how the problems surrounding immigration can be resolved in a way that benefits all. But while the IER strongly recommends a "rights-based" model, the government continues to court controversy with plans for restrictions that aim to resolve an issue that does not exist.

Labour Migration in Hard Times: Reforming labour marketing regulation?

A collection of papers by the UK's leading experts on labour migration on the exploitation of migrant workers and the need for labour law reform.

Trade Union Rights

Unionised workplaces are better protected against recession, study finds

Recognising trade unions helps to protect employers against recession, a new study has found, providing yet more data to support the Institute of Employment Rights' policy proposals to improve collective bargaining levels across the UK.

Fight Coalition attack on trade union

The People's Assembly has provided a channel through which UK workers can fight back against the Coalition's attack on trade unions in the form of an online petition.

Blacklisting

UCATT takes construction giants to court over blacklisting

Construction workers' union UCATT has begun legal proceedings against several major construction companies who have been involved in the blacklisting scandal.

Sir Robert McAlpine denies blacklisting employees

Despite being arguably at the centre of the blacklisting scandal since the offices of blacklist compiler The Consulting Association (TCA) were raided in 2009, construction giant Sir Robert McAlpine has now denied to a high court judge that it ever blacklisted employees.

Welsh Assembly demonstrates progressive attitude to blacklisting scandal

While Coalition politicians bury their heads in the sand as the blacklisting scandal rages on, with Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party members denying evidence of ongoing blacklisting or the need for further legislation, the Welsh Assembly has taken note of the public's discontent and shown a progressive attitude.

Whistleblowing

IER contributes to report recommending further protection for whistleblowers

Public Concern at Work (PCAW), a whistleblowing charity, has released its Whistleblowing Commission Report, recommending a new Code of Practice on whistleblowing arrangements in the workplace and the prohibition of unjust acts such as blacklisting whistleblowers.

Equality

UK worst in Europe for parental pay

The UK has been dubbed the "scrooge of Europe" by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) after analysis by the organisation revealed parental pay in the country is the worst in the continent.

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IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining

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New publications

Justice Deferred: a critical guide to the Coalition's employment tribunal reforms

By David Renton and Anna Macey

Justice Deferred maps out in a concise, easy to read, accessible style and language, the ideologically driven path being pursued by the Coalition Government. It provides a critical guide to changes in employment tribunal rules and procedures.

Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for collective bargaining

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.

Labour Law Highlights 1013

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.