Blogs

IMF says unions are key to tackling inequality: Are you listening Osborne?

By Sabina Dewan and Gregory Randolph

As George Osborne delivers his last budget under this Coalition Government, we wonder if he has paid any attention to a recent report published by the International Monetary Fund on how to build a better future. We guess not. Why? Because the report reiterates what we have been saying for some time – that rising inequality is in part due to a decline in unionisation. According to the IMF report, even if governments and the private sector manage to create jobs and boost GDP, it will not result in greater equality unless unions have a key role in helping boost wages. The following report by the above authors sets out the case.

Read the full blog here…

News

What do the latest labour market figures tell us?

We have reported many a time that falling unemployment figures masks the more sinister reality of the new jobs market; casualisation, underemployment, zero hours contracts and bogus self employment. We know that the increasing quantity of jobs is not being matched by quality. As Frances O’Grady said: “Wages are stuck in the slow lane of recovery and are not set to be back to their pre-recession levels until the end of the next parliament. Underemployment has fallen very little since the recession, so problems remain with the quality and security of jobs that people are getting. We are still not seeing any significant progress on youth unemployment, which raises concerns that young people are being shut out of the recovery.” The latest labour market statistics also show that women, young people and people from BAME backgrounds are faring the worst.

Read More…

Barristers condemn ET fees

The Employment Law Bar Association has written an open letter to Chris Grayling MP, Jo Swinson MP, Shailish Vara MP and Chuka Umunna MP expressing concerns about the impact of fees on access to justice in the employment tribunals, and calling for a review. The letter says employment tribunal fees are a barrier to justice, and has been signed by 40 QCs and over 400 barristers who specialise in employment law.

Read the letter here…

Minimum wage to increase, minimally

The minimum wage will increase to £6.70 this October, a rise of 3%. The government has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendation, and will also rise rates for younger workers and apprentices. The minimum wage for 18- to 20-year-olds will increase from £5.13 to £5.30 (3%) and by 8p to £3.87 for 16- and 17-year-olds (2%). The rate for apprentices will rise by 57p to £3.30, an increase of 20%, which constitutes the biggest ever rise.

Read More…

New Collective Bargaining Video – Why we need it

To mark #fairpayfortnight we have released a video on collective bargaining. What is it? Why do we need it? What will be the consequences of its restoration? Keith Ewing and John Hendy explain all…

Watch the collective bargaining video here

IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining

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Forthcoming Events

Campaign for Trade Union Freedom Event: Defeating Austerity, Free Trade Deals and Attacks on Trade Union Rights

As we hurtle towards the general election two things are clear – Austerity must go and so must this Coalition government. We want politicians who inspire and policies that work for the people. We want an end to attacks on trade unions and their members. Join one of the rallies in Liverpool and Cardiff and show your support. Another world is possible. Free entry.

Liverpool: Wednesday 25th March 2015, 6pm.

Cardiff: Monday 13th April 2015, 6pm

RSVP to the event here or by email office@ier.org.uk.

New Resource

Access to Justice 2010-2015

The Beecroft report, employment tribunal fees, the removal of wing members, reduction of limits on tribunal awards for unfair dismissal; The Coalition’s reformation of the employment dispute system has succeeded in making accessing justice even more difficult than it already was. We have gathered news, blogs, research and publications documenting the events of the last few years and their consequences together in one place. Take a look here.

New – Election 2015: What’s at stake for work, pay and trade unions?

Contributors: Professor Tonia Novitz, University of Bristol Law School; Professor Ozlem Onaran, University of  Greenwich; Dr Lydia Hayes, Cardiff University; Carolyn Jones, Institute of Employment Rights; and James Lazou, Unite the Union.

This guide outlines the scale of the fall in living standards since 2008, the explosion of low-wage, insecure work and how working people and their unions have seen their rights attacked. By explaining the link between strong trade unions, widespread collective bargaining and lower inequality the pamphlet suggests short and long term policy interventions that would improve the living standards of working people and begin to steer the economy in a more equitable direction with collective bargaining at its core.

You can read and download the election guide here.

Publications

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

By David Renton and Anna Macey

This publication offers a chilling reminder of the extent to which access to justice is being systematically shut down by the Coalition government.




Trade Unions and Economic Inequality

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

Re-regulating Zero Hours Contracts

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