Blogs

Queen’s Speech: The Trade Union Bill

By Carolyn Jones, Director, Institute of Employment Rights

The Trade Union Bill announced in the Queen’s speech holds few surprises. We knew it was coming. The Tories and their big business friends don’t like “third party interference” in the labour market. To them unions are a hindrance – and a popular one at that! So the Conservatives hope that by tying unions up in ever more restrictive laws, unions will fail to deliver their promises to provide a voice in the workplace and to protect workers’ rights. So what’s the Tory plan of attack?

Read the full blog here…

News

Queen’s Speech 2015

The first Queen’s speech of the Conservative government has been made. Cameron said his legislative programme would mean “wherever you live, you can have the chance of a good education, a decent job, a home of your own and the peace of mind that comes from being able to raise a family and enjoy a secure retirement”, yet his plans show he’s intent on achieving anything but.

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British people want more employment rights from EU

A TUC poll of over 4,000 voters has shown that British people are far more likely to vote to remain in the EU if it leads to improved wages and workers rights. 55 percent of the public would be more supportive of Britain being in the EU if it meant better pay and conditions. On the other hand, only 23 percent said they would be more supportive if the EU did more to cut red tape for businesses.

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Ban on exclusivity clauses in ZHCs comes into force

Both parties in the Coalition capitalised on the ban in an effort to appear like they were tackling ZHC exploitation. Cameron said at the time; “In a Britain that everyone is proud to call home, people are employed, they are not used. Those exclusive zero-hours contracts that left people unable to build decent lives for themselves – we will scrap them.” However in reality, as the IER has previously highlighted; exclusivity clauses are a red-herring. The real problems associated with ZHC have not been touched upon.

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TTIP Update: MEP trade committee backs TTIP

Members of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee have agreed a resolution backing the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The Trade Committee passed the recommendations by 28 votes to 13 on Thursday (28 May). The report will go before the full European Parliament for a vote on 10 June.

Read More…

Act Now: Write to your MEP here.

Conservative Timeline

We have replaced our Coalition Timeline with a Conservative one, to document the impending attack on workers’ rights under the Tory government. The Coalition Timeline will remain online for you to look back at.

Click here to see the Conservative Timeline

New on the timeline this week…

• 7 Day NHS will be built on the backs of its workers
• One in five academics on casual contracts struggle to get by

IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining

Read the ten-point manifesto

Buy the book

VIDEOS: Watch the experts

PODCASTS: Listen to the experts

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.

 

 

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.

Human Rights: What we’re set to lose

The Tories plan on replacing the Human Act with a British Bill of Rights.

The IER has published experts’ analysis on articles of the European Convention on Human Rights, and what they mean for employment law. 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

Publications

Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for collective bargaining

By Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC

Collective bargaining is under more threat than ever. 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.

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