[IER] Manifesto for Collective Bargaining launched

[Sarah Glenister]

ierlogo-resources.gifReconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for
collective bargaining


The Manifesto for Collective Bargaining has been launched


The Manifesto, the Institute of Employment Rights' latest policy proposals
for an alternative - and fairer - path to growth has been released
<http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-colle
ctive-bargaining> . See a summary of the proposals, authored by Professor
Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC below and purchase your copy by clicking here
<http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-colle
ctive-bargaining> .



Who supports the Manifesto?


We have already secured the support of nine major unions, as follows:

.         Unite the Union

.         Unison

.         GMB

.         NUT

.         PCS

.         CWU

.         UCU

.         RMT

.         ATL


Economic impact of collective bargaining


Collective Bargaining infographic.jpg


About the manifesto


The largest unions in the UK have given their backing to a new manifesto
authored by renowned academic Professor Keith Ewing, and leading barrister
John Hendy QC. Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for collective
bargaining, published by think tanks the Institute of Employment Rights
(IER) and Class, was launched on Sunday 08 September 2013 at TUC Congress.

Creating a labour market underpinned by collective bargaining, particularly
sectoral bargaining - that is, collective bargaining on an
industry-by-industry basis - is demonstrated in the publication to be an
effective method of stimulating economic growth.

Chair of the IER John Hendy explains: "A fundamental problem with the
British economy is the dramatic drop in the value of wages. As well as
painfully diminishing the standard of living for most people (while the rich
enjoy ever increasing wealth) this has depressed demand, causing the loss of
jobs, loss of tax revenue and one of the worst performing economies in
Europe."

President of the IER Keith Ewing adds: "There will be no long-term solution
to current economic gloom without raising wages and equalising incomes. Only
by doing so will we stimulate demand, increase spending, and create real and
fully productive jobs that do not need to be subsidised by the State."

As the publication describes, extensive collective bargaining coverage was
the successful policy adopted by UK, US and European governments to end the
depression of the 1930s, and some of the strongest nations continue to base
their labour market on these terms (most notably Germany, Europe's largest
economy). It was not until Thatcher decimated trade union freedoms in the
1980s that the role of collective bargaining was severely diminished.

Since then, salaries have been steadily dropping and have fallen a massive
7.5% since the 2008 crash. The poorest half of the population have seen
their income share plummet by 25% since the late 1970s, while the wages of
some executives has surged by 4,000% since the 1980s. The average Chief
Executive now earns 145 times the amount of the average worker.

Income inequality is most simply and effectively addressed through sectoral
bargaining, which not only improves the wages and conditions of trade union
members, but of all employees working in the same sector. Collective
bargaining also leads to stronger economic growth, greater innovation,
productivity, job creation and a halt to exploitative agreements like
zero-hours contracts.

Reconstruction after the Crisis includes a detailed policy proposal for the
next Labour government. It also sets out a ten-point manifesto , which is
already backed by nine unions: Unite, Unison, GMB, NUT, PCS, CWU, RMT, UCU &
ATL.

Keith Ewing said: "Every worker should have the right to be covered by a
collective agreement. The next Labour government must take steps to make
this happen."

Carolyn Jones, Director of the Institute of Employment Rights, said: "IER
believes that collective bargaining should be at the heart of the UK's
reconstruction - pumping much-needed life into our failing economy. This
excellent and timely Manifesto offers political, legal and industrial
solutions to the Coalition Government's abysmal failures."

Steve Hart, Chair of Class, said: "This manifesto is a really important
contribution signposting the necessary direction to get Britain back in the
mainstream in terms of collective bargaining."

Len McCluskey, General Secretary of Unite the Union, said: "Collapsing
living standards and the erosion of collective bargaining rights over the
past 30 years are directly linked. Workers and their families are facing the
double whammy of falling wages and a race to the bottom as terms and
conditions are slashed across the economy. It's time to stop the rot and
forge a new deal for workers based on statutory support for collective
bargaining."

Karen Jennings, Assistant General Secretary for Unison, said: "An alarming
number of those employed in the public sector, particularly in the care
sector, are trapped on precarious contracts such as zero-hours contracts.
Such precarious terms of employment are not only exploitative to workers but
dangerous to members of the public who rely on front-line staff. Collective
Bargaining reduces vulnerability at work. If collective bargaining -
particularly sectoral bargaining - was in place at more workplaces,
employers would not have free rein to bring in zero-hours contracts and
other exploitative terms. The IER's manifesto lays out realistic and
progressive measures to make this a possibility."

Paul Kenny, General Secretary of GMB, said: "Collective bargaining not only
raises the pay and conditions of current workers, but also helps to create
new jobs and strengthen the economy as a whole. The government boasts about
an illusory rise in employment. In reality, desperate people are being
forced into precarious jobs on poverty pay. Such a small amount of capital
spread thinly between thousands of workers does nothing for employees and
nothing for our economy. Collective bargaining will lift wages and boost the
economy. So let's go beyond empty statistics and create real employment that
makes a real difference to life in the UK. And let's face it, Britain needs
a pay rise."

Christine Blower, General Secretary of NUT, said: "Collective bargaining is
at the heart of trade union activity. It is a fundamental role of a union:
applying the strength of the collective to the struggle for fair and decent
living and working conditions of each worker. And it's successful - leading
to higher pay and better conditions. There is no excuse for the removal of
negotiating rights from teachers and thousands of other public sector
workers."

Billy Hayes, General Secretary of CWU, said: "As a trade union the CWU
believes collective bargaining should be considered a basic employment
right. We believe more should be done to promote and protect the rights of
workers especially when faced with a Government that has launched attack
after attack on the hard won rights of the labour movement and is why we are
supporting the collective bargaining manifesto drafted by the IER."

Bob Crow, General Secretary of RMT, said: "This manifesto is a vital tool in
our struggle to build democracy and equality in Britain, strengthening
workplace representation and rebuilding our movement following decades of
anti-union laws designed to smash collective bargaining."

Sally Hunt, General Secretary of UCU, said: "UCU welcomes the publication of
the Manifesto. It sets out clearly and convincingly the case for collective
bargaining and its central importance to the protection of employment rights
and the establishment of effective industrial relations."

Mary Bousted, General Secretary of ATL, said: "ATL believes that teachers
should have the right to collective bargaining regardless of the type of
educational institution in which they work. This will be all the more
important following the forthcoming changes to the TUPE Regulations, which
we fear will weaken the protection offered to workers following a transfer
from the public to the private education sector."

 

 

Sarah Glenister

IT Development and Communications Assistant

Institute of Employment Rights

4th Floor, Jack Jones House, 1 Islington, Liverpool, L3 8EG

0151 207 5265

 

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