News Brief 24/01/2014
Submitted by sglenister on Fri, 24/01/2014 - 18:21
This week authored by Laura Ryder
New on the Coalition Timeline Click here to see the Coalition TimelinePay and benefits Workers need to be patient on pay, says Cameron (24/01/2014) Employment Minister suggests youth are snobs for not taking jobs that do not exist (23/01/2014)Pay and Benefits
Trade union rights
Increasing Vulnerability in the workplace
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 Inequality leads to unrest at workAccording to a report, the recent rise in levels of sickness and strikes is due to inequality and low pay at work. It seems that workers are not satisfied with the low pay that many of them receive in comparison to their fat cat bosses. Read more...
Bedroom tax targets the weak and vulnerableThe bedroom tax has once again caused controversy as five severely disabled tenants challenge the housing benefit cut, arguing that it is an attack against the poor and vulnerable. Read more...
Right to request flexible working delayedThe Coalition's forays into improving workers' protection are weak at best, and now even a mostly futile new "right" is to be delayed. Read more... Inequality still an issue in ScotlandStatistics have been published by Scottish trade unionists preparing for the launch of Scotland’s People’s Assembly (a network of local group fighting against austerity) revealing that Scotland has an unequal income rate. Read more... Inequality a growing global threatOxfam published a report on Monday, 20 January 2014, that revealed shocking statistics regarding the ever-growing problem of income inequality. Read more...  Equality and Discrimination: What next for equal rights?By Janet Newsham Janet Newsham reports on the lessons learned from yesterday's (22 January 2014) Equality and Discrimination conference held by the Institute of Employment Rights. Read more... EmploymentRise in employment limited to London and South EastA report by the TUC has shown that the chances of getting a job in the North East, North West, West Midlands and South West have decreased ever since 2010. According to the report, any recovery in employment is skewed to London and the South East of Britain. Read more... Blacklisting UK law provides no remedy for "genuine injustice" of blacklistingAn Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has confirmed that UK law provides no remedy for blacklisted workers employed through recruitment agencies, highlighting the need for new legislation to ensure those harmed through the practice are properly compensated. Read more... BAM HR head ‘never questioned’ secrecy surrounding blacklisters TCAAppearing in front of the Scottish Affairs Committee, which is running an inquiry into blacklisting in the construction industry, former Head of HR at BAM Nuttall Patrick Swift insisted that although he knew his involvement with The Consulting Association (TCA) should be kept secret, he never questioned whether this could be a sign that the organisation was involved in wrongdoing. Read more... Trade union rightsUniversity bosses attempt to intimidate striking staffUniversity bosses have been accused of using methods of intimidation against their members of staff in attempt to discourage them from taking strike action. Read more... Consultation to be launched on dangerous EU-US dealFollowing what has been described as "unprecedented public interest" in talks between the EU and US on a potentially dangerous trade deal, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht has promised a public consultation will be held. Read more... MPS vote overwhelmingly to release Shrewsbury 24 documentsA vote in the House of Commons led to 120 MPs balloting to see the public release of documents relating to the imprisonment of trade unionists under conspiracy charges in the 1970s. Just three politicians voted to keep the information hidden. MPs vote overwhelmingly to release Shrewsbury 24 documents Health and safety Bill cover.img_assist_custom.jpg) Scotland's Inquiry into Deaths Bill proposes progressive health and safety reformDr David Whyte responds to a public consultation on behalf of the Institute of Employment Rights, broadly in favour of the proposals set out in the Draft Inquiry into Deaths (Scotland) Bill. Read more... PensionsTory think tank out of touch on pension issuesPolicy Exchange think tank ignores cost of living struggle in backwards proposals to tackle “pensioner poverty”. Read more... Shadow Pensions Minister calls Coalition pension charge cap weakLabour’s Shadow Pensions Minister has criticised the new cap on charges made by pensions providers that is being proposed by the Coalition ostensibly to save workers money on their occupational pensions. Read more...  Whose idea was the Single-Tier State Pension anyway?Neil Duncan-Jordan, National Officer, National Pensioners Convention Neil Duncan-Jordan explains how under Coalition policies, both occupational pensions and state pensions will fall in value and take longer to accrue for future UK workers. Read more... Pay and benefitsTory Employment Minister criticised for being out of touchEmployment Minister Esther McVey has shocked the nation by accusing youngsters of being snobs when it comes to employment. Read more... MigrationTory demands further work restrictions on European immigrantsNigel Mills, a Tory MP who pressured the government into announcing restrictions on benefits claimed by EU migrants last year, has appealed for the Immigration Bill to be made even tougher. Whistleblowing'Gagging' clauses prevent whistleblowers reporting dangers to patient care and child safety, Committee findsConcerns have been voiced by Margaret Hodge MP, Chair of the Committee of Public Accounts, over gagging clauses in the public sector preventing whistleblowers from speaking out about mistakes that could put the public in danger. Read more... Access to justiceProposals for further legal fee rises "not fit for purpose", says independent committeeThe Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC), set up by government to independently assess the cost of regulation to various stakeholders, has described proposals to increase legal fees for civil cases as "not fit for purpose". Read more... |
 Sponsor our news briefsHelp 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 our office for more details. IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining Read the ten-point manifestoBy the bookVIDEOS: Watch the expertsPODCASTS: Listen to the experts
 Labour's aims could be achieved through more effective collective bargainingBy 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 reformsBy 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 bargainingBy 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 1013By 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. Forthcoming eventsEquality and Discrimination: What next for equal rights? Wednesday 22 January 2014
Pensions: Changes and challenges Wednesday 12 February 2014
 Wednesday 26 February 2014
 Wednesday 05 March 2014
 Wednesday 19 March 2014 |
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