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New on the Coalition Timeline
Public Sector
- Coalition sells off East Coast (11/12/2014)
- Unions hit back at Ofsted (11/12/2014)
- 1 in 3 NHS contracts have been awarded to private companies (10/12/2014)
Equality
- Tory Baroness: “poor can’t cook” (8/12/2014)
Other
- No Tory at climate change talks (8/12/2014)
Union will take legal action over Ricky Matthews
The Firebrigades Union (FBU) has said it will challenge the dismissal of Ricky Matthews, an FBU executive who was sacked by the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Service for participating in a lawful strike. Thousands have protested in defence of Ricky Matthews, and against the fire service’s clear victimisation of a firefighter exercising the right to strike. There has been no investigation or disciplinary hearing, and Matthews’ request for an appeal was refused by the employer. The strike in question saw 30,000 firefighters walk out over a four day period at the end of October. This was followed by a 24 hour strike on Tuesday – the 48th period of industrial action since the dispute began.
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Saatchi’s unpaid workers
35 outsourced cleaners have been through a long and stressful dispute over £40,000 worth of unpaid wages. The cleaners who earn on average £1000 a month, were not paid for seven weeks – an untenable situation for low-paid workers. The company which they worked for, Consolidated Office Cleaning Limited (COC) owed more than £760,000 in unpaid tax and VAT. COC did not inform the employees of why it was not paying them for their work, but told them it was a temporary situation caused by moving from one bank to another. In November the company went into voluntary liquidation, still without having informed their employees of the reality.
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Modern slavery bill does not do enough
Modern slavery is a problem that must be urgently tackled both at home and abroad, but the Coalition’s Modern Slavery Bill leaves a lot to be desired, say critics. The Modern Slavery Bill is currently in the Lords, and is set to pass through parliament before the next general election. The government is taking the opportunity to sing the praises of the ostensibly progressive Bill ahead of the election, but in reality its merits are weak. The Bill has been described by experts as “a missed opportunity” and “a red herring”, in particular because it does not offer adequate victim protection.
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TUC: 2 in 3 agency workers under 30 are looking for permanent jobs
TUC analysis of official statistics has shown that 81 per cent of temporary agency workers aged 20–24, and 64 per cent of those aged 25–29, say they are in temporary work because they cannot find a permanent job. Underemployment for zero-hours contract (ZHCs) workers is also shockingly high, with 50 per cent of those aged 20–24 and 58 per cent of those aged 25–29 saying they are only doing temporary work because they cannot find a permanent job. Agency work and ZHCs are defended by employers claiming that they give young workers valuable experience while allowing mutual flexibility. However, this analysis shows that in reality increasing numbers of young workers are trapped in insecure work with poor pay and benefits, when they would rather be working full time.
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Forthcoming Events
Employment law after the election: what kind of laws do we want?, Unison Center, London
Wednesday 11th February 2014
As we rapidly approach the next general election, Britain’s working population and, in particular, its 61⁄2 million trade unionists need to know how their economic wellbeing is going to improve under a new government. It has been said that the next general election will be won or lost on the issue of employment rights. The conference will be a key event in the run-up to the general election for trade unionists, academics, lawyers and anyone with an interest in workers’ rights and trade union freedoms.
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!
Congratulations to this months winner: Margaret Farrell
Publications
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
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
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.
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.
IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining
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