News Brief 17/01/2014

Submitted by sglenister on Fri, 17/01/2014 - 17:39

This week authored by Laura Ryder

IER news this week

The IER is gearing up to an exciting year, in which we will celebrate our 25th anniversary and begin a regional tour with our collective bargaining manifesto, which has already proven very popular in the labour movement.

What's more, we're about to start our events calendar for 2014, with our first conference of the year on equality set for next Wednesday (22nd January) at Liverpool's Adelphi Hotel. There are still a few spaces left and they can be booked here.

New on the Coalition Timeline

Click here to see the Coalition Timeline

Trade union rights

Tory backbenchers lobby for end to human rights charter (12/01/2014)

Increasing Vulnerability in the workplace

We should be more right-wing on immigration, says Tory (12/01/2014)

Equality Liverpool – 22 January : Book Now!

Click here to book.

Organised by the Institute of Employment Rights and sponsored by NUT North West Region.

This 4th Equalities Conference in the North West brings together an expert panel of speakers to look at the latest issues affecting equality and discrimination at work. A similar programme to the London conference, this event will be accessible to people who don’t want to travel to London.

January 2014 Sale!

Click here to buy.

Due to popular demand, the Christmas offer has been extended until the end of January! So support our charity and put IER on your January sales list while stocks last!

Equality

Coalition plans for maternity pay 'could create broken homes and a rise in depression'

A parental charity has appealed to Prime Minister David Cameron and his Deputy Nick Clegg to exclude maternity pay from their proposed cap on welfare. Read more...

Trade union rights

UN: Lobbying Bill will tarnish Britain's democracy

A UN official has criticised the Government's Lobbying Bill, which has already caused widespread controversy. Read more...

Government defeated in House of Lords

The Lobbying Bill has been amended in the House of Lords despite previous concessions by the government in order to soften it. Read more...

Pay and Benefits

7% pay cut and longer shifts cause anger amidst care workers

On Tuesday, (14 January 2014), care workers went on strike outside Glasgow councillors' offices as part of a two-day industrial action to show their discontent at prolonged hours, and more duties at the same time as a massive pay cut. Read more...

Drop in inflation fails to put the brakes on rocketing cost of living

The Coalition is patting itself on the back as Inflation falls to 2%, but Labour is demanding a stronger minimum wage as unions warn that the cost of living is still growing. Read more...

Is Osborne really "converted" to providing higher wages? How the left can stay ahead of Tory spin

By Sarah Glenister

The big news story today (17 January 2014) is the surprising announcement that George Osborne apparently backs raising the National Minimum Wage (NMW) to above-inflation levels. Read more...

Whistleblowing

Whitehall department fails to support whistleblowers

After reviewing 39 whistleblowing policies across government and marking them against eight different criteria the National Audit Office has found that the Cabinet Office - Chancellor George Osborne's department - is failing to support workers reporting matters of public interest at work in an official assessment. Read more...

Migration

Public ‘misinformed’ regarding migration statistics

Immigration is a hot topic at the moment, but the latest figures have shown that many people are being misinformed in regard to immigration, as the government keeps on peddling its myths in order to scare people of the effects of immigration on the UK. Read more...

Health and safety

Tougher penalties for undermining workers' health and safety but not enough staff to enforce them

Changes introduced to the Health and Safety Offences Act mean that lawbreakers will face more jail terms, higher fines and a rise in cases tried in lower courts when they undermine the welfare of their staff or the public – but tougher penalties can be of no effect if enforcers are too poorly funded to put them to use. Read more...

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IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining

Read the ten-point manifesto

By the book

VIDEOS: Watch the experts

PODCASTS: Listen to the experts

Labour's aims could be achieved through more effective collective bargaining

By Sarah Glenister

In the run-up to the General Election next year, the Labour Party has begun to spell out its policies, hoping – it seems – to attract voters from all classes. The Institute of Employment Rights (IER) reiterates that more effective collective bargaining on a national scale is the solution Labour is looking for to achieve its aims. Read more...

New publications

Labour migration in hard times: Reforming labour market regulation?

Edited by Bernard Ryan

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.

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.