Class Conference: What Britain Needs
Early-bird tickets for Class national conference on November 1 have gone on sale. The conference is set to be the biggest event on the left ahead of the general election, with speakers including Owen Jones, Polly Toynbee, Diane Abbott MP, Salma Yaqoob, and Len McCluskey. The IER works extensively with Class, with our joint publication Trade Unions and Economic Inequality (see below) out now.
You can find out more about the conference, and book tickets here
New Publication
By Dr Lydia Hayes and Professor Tonia Novitz
What is the point of trade unions? What do they deliver? Are trade unions relevant in 21st century modern society? These and many other questions are answered by the authors of this timely and well presented report. Order your copy here
New on the Coalition Timeline
Economy
- Cameron backs raising inheritance tax threshold (16/10/2014)
Public Sector
- RMT demand public enquiry into rail racket (15/10/2014)
Redundancy and Grievances
- Workers could be forced to pay for their own benefits (15/10/2014)
Pay and Benefits
- Government submit evidence to Low Pay Commission (16/10/2014)
Trade Union Rights
- Carr review is published (17/10/2014)
Interns should be paid the minimum wage, says Social Mobility Commission
Alan Milburn, chair of the government’s Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission is to make the recommendation that interns should be paid the minimum wage. The recommendation comes on the back of evidence that internships are becoming the major route into work, with 37% of graduates being recruited by companies in the Times Top 100 Graduate Recruiters having previously done internships for them. There are an estimated 100,000 internships – the majority of which are in London, and many of them unpaid. At present only a quarter of employers pay interns above the minimum wage.
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Unemployment falls but wages not recovering
Unemployment has dropped below two million, but pay is only 0.7% higher than it was a year ago, according to latest employment figures from the ONS. Unemployment has fallen to 1.97 million for the three months to the end of August. While the IER recognises that the new employment figures are good news, it is important to recognise that quantity of jobs does not necessarily reflect quality of jobs. The continuing assault on labour standards, underemployment, high self-employment, and a growing zero hours contract culture must be taken into account before celebrating low unemployment.
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Longest wage squeeze since the Victorian Era
This week’s strikes come in the wake of the longest pay squeeze since the mid-Victorian era, according to new research by the TUC. The latest figures released by the ONS show real earnings continuing to fall; the seventh consecutive year of falling real earnings. According to the TUC, this has no historical precedent. The TUC have conducted a study comparing the current wage squeeze to four historical earnings crises – 1865-67, 1874-78, 1921-23, 1976-77. Three of these are periods lasting only 2 years, with the longest lasting 4 years.
Read More…
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Help us to celebrate 25 years of the Institute
Donations are coming in daily to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Institute. If you make a donation, don’t forget to send us a supporting statement about why you support the institute. So, whether you’re an individual or a branch, whether it’s £25 or £250 join in and you’ll be included in out monthly draw to win a free place at an IER event!
Publications
By Zoe Adams and Simon Deakin
ZHCs are highly profitable for employers, but lead to insecurity of income and low pay for workers. The authors point to rigidities in employment law and the operation of the tax-benefit system as being responsible for the rise in zero hours contracting. Order your copy here
By Richard Arthur
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.
Equality and Human Right Commission calls for evidence on religion or belief issues
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a major call for evidence from individuals and organisations about how their religion or belief, or that of other people, may have affected their experiences in the workplace and in using the services and facilities they need in everyday life. The Commission wants to gather as much information as possible from members of the public, employers, providers of services, legal advisors and religion or belief organisations. So if you have a relevant experience to share, you are urged to respond. To do this, or to find out more, go to the Commission’s website at:
www.equalityhumanrights.com/religion
Forthcoming Events
Employment Law Update 2014, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
Wednesday 22 October 2014
This 7th annual IER conference in the North West is designed to ensure trade union representatives are kept up to date and well-informed about developments in employment law. It is a must go to event for anyone with an interest in employment law and the protection of collective and individual workers’ rights.
Equality and Discrimination: What Next For Equal Rights? , Unite the Union, London
Wednesday 19 November 2014
Four years after the introduction of the Equality Act and where are we now? Leading equality experts from the law, trade unions and academia will come together to critically assess the latest case law, precedents and evidence and anticipate where they will lead us in terms of ensuring fairness at work for all.
TUPE Update: the new Regulations, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool
Wednesday 3rd December 2014
The government published new TUPE Regulations in November 2013, revealing service provision rules will not be repealed, but several changes will be made that could hinder trade union activity. There are many uncertainties about the new regulations and the conference will aim to provide answers to many questions plus any additional questions from delegates on the day.
IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining
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