News
OECD calls for better working conditions
A major study conducted by the OECD had found that the rise in in self-employment, temporary and part-time jobs over the past two decades has been a key factor in the rise of inequality. It finds that all the net jobs growth since 1995 in the UK has been accounted for by non-standard work. “We have reached a tipping point. Inequality in OECD countries is at its highest since records began,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría. “The evidence shows that high inequality is bad for growth. The case for policy action is as much economic as social. By not addressing inequality, governments are cutting into the social fabric of their countries and hurting their long-term economic growth”.
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PCAW publish whistleblowing commission report
In February 2013, Public Concern at Work launched the Commission to review the effectiveness of whistleblowing in UK workplaces to make recommendations for change. The Commission, which is an independent body made up of industry and academic experts, has made 25 recommendations for improving whistleblowing across UK workplaces.
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Housing costs are increasing four times faster than wages
Office for National Statistics have shown an annual housing prices increase of 9.6 percent, compared to just 2.2 percent for wages. It was recently reported that only those who earn £77,000 and above to buy a house in London; only extremely high-earners and those with inherited wealth can afford to own property. While London is at the extreme end of the scale, the cost of housing across the country is rising fast, and it is not being matched by rising incomes.
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Firefighters win legal challenge over pensions
Office for National Statistics show an annual housing prices increase of 9.6 percent, compared to just 2.2 percent for wages. It was recently reported that only those who earn £77,000 and above to buy a house in London; only extremely high-earners and those with inherited wealth can afford to own property. While London is at the extreme end of the scale, the cost of housing across the country is rising fast, and it is not being matched by rising incomes.
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Union News
Talks between unions and Tata have broken down
Unite, the GMB and community have released a joint statement, saying that the company has made no attempt at true negotiation.
“In the interests of constructive and co-operative engagement, we took the opportunity to ask company representatives, in light of the strength of feedback in the consultation, if there is any change in their position as regards the proposal to close the scheme. After a short adjournment, they said that their position remains unchanged.No doubt Tata will try and claim that the meeting is an example of the company talking to the unions,” the statement reads. “But as we have said throughout, talk should be meaningful. In light of this flagrant disregard for the views of their employees, all unions are united in their call for members to vote YES YES for industrial action.”
The dispute is on the subject of reduced pensions. At the moment, workers can retire at the age of 60 without an actuarial reduction. The company’s view is that they should now work until the age of 65 for a full pension. If they were to retire at age 60 then, they would lose five per cent for each year of early retirement, a 25 percent total reduction.
Conservative Timeline
As the coalition comes to an end and the conservatives are ushered in unfettered, we replace our Coalition Timeline with a Conservative one. The Coalition Timeline will remain online for you to look back at.
IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining
What is collective bargaining? Why do we need it? What will be the consequences of its restoration? Keith Ewing and John Hendy explain all in a new collective bargaining video.
Human Rights: What we’re set to lose
The Tories are pressing ahead with their plans to scrap the Human Rights Act and to withdraw from the European Court of Human Rights.
The IER has published experts’ analysis on what withdrawal from particular articles of the EHCR would mean for employment rights. Read them here:
Article 4: Prohibition of slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour
Article 8: Right to respect for private and family life
Article 10: Right to freedom of expression
Article 14: Prohibition of discrimination
Events
Workplace Issues: Taking up the issues with the new government
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Diskus Room, Unite the Union, London
This event will be the first IER conference to take place after the general election, providing an excellent opportunity to assess the government’s programme of work. How will worker’s rights fair under the new Tory regime? Which labour law topics will trade unionists need to be aware of in order to best protect their members at work?
The People’s Assembly ‘End Austerity Now’ Demonstration
Saturday, 20 June 2015
The IER, a founder signatory to the People’s Assembly, is supporting this post-election demonstration to keep our anti-austerity message at the public and political forefront. More details here.
Human Rights: Possibilities and Problems for Labour Law
Wednesday 1 July 2015
Diskus Room, Unite the Union, London
The Tory government is gearing up to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights. They plan to replace the Human Rights Act 1998 with a British Bill of Rights. So what would withdrawal from the ECHR mean for employment rights and worker protections? This conference aims to shed light on the issues by focusing on the kind of workplace abuses that the Convention aims to protect us against.
Publications
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.
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
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