[IER] News Brief 20/09/2013

Fri Sep 20 17:05:04 BST 2013

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1728>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-news.gifNews
Brief 20/09/2013

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/node/1728> View in your browser

In the news this week

It's Party Conference season and the media has been largely reporting from
the Liberal Democrat Conference in Glasgow. On employment rights, Business
Secretary Vince Cable pushed for an
<http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/sep/13/liberal-democrats-push-mini
mum-wage-increase> increase in the National Minimum Wageand, indeed, has
already set the ball in rolling by
<http://news.bis.gov.uk/Press-Releases/Cable-announces-plans-to-boost-fairne
ss-for-workers-6933b.aspx> asking the Low Pay Commissionto report on what
labour market conditions would be necessary to increase the level of the
minimum wage. In the same statement, Cable announced a consultation into
zero-hours contracts would be launched. While the Liberal Democrats have, in
these moves, showed divergence from the Conservatives, they are unlikely to
make much of a difference to workers' rights. The IER
<http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-colle
ctive-bargaining> recommends a labour force founded on collective bargaining
as a solution to both the problems of low pay and exploitative contracts.

Collective bargaining

<http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/why-labour-law-reform-will-be-heart-next-general
-election> Alan Bogg.jpg
<http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/why-labour-law-reform-will-be-heart-next-general
-election> Why labour law reform will be at the heart of the next election
By Alan Bogg, Professor of Labour Law, Oxford University

The next election will be the first in a generation in which one of the
central battlegrounds will be labour law reform. The coalition response to
the economic crisis has created a vicious circle of declining real wages for
hardworking citizens, the spectacular and shameful growth in precarious
zero-hours contracting and increasing social and economic inequality.

<http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/there-urgent-need-greater-collective-bargaining-
uk>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Collective%20Bargaining%
20infographic.thumbnail.jpg
<http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/there-urgent-need-greater-collective-bargaining-
uk> There is an urgent need for greater collective bargaining in the UK
By Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC

The right to agree wages and conditions collectively with employers made a
huge difference to workers' lives. We need it back urgently.

Equality

<http://www.ier.org.uk/news/public-sector-equality-duty-reviewed-and-found-b
e-burden>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Logo.thumbnail.GIF
<http://www.ier.org.uk/news/public-sector-equality-duty-reviewed-and-found-b
e-burden> Public Sector Equality Duty reviewed and found to be a "burden"
The panel reviewing the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) has described the
legislation – which aims to ensure that public bodies and their contractors
uphold their responsibility to ensure their services promote equality among
people – as a "burden".

Trade Union Rights

<http://www.ier.org.uk/news/anger-govt-appeals-against-trade-union-win-mass-
redundancy>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Logo.thumbnail.GIF
<http://www.ier.org.uk/news/anger-govt-appeals-against-trade-union-win-mass-
redundancy> Anger as govt appeals against trade union win on mass redundancy
The government has won the right to appeal against an employment tribunal
decision that could have a major impact on employment law.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/tories-prioritise-removing-human-rights>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Logo.thumbnail.GIF
<http://www.ier.org.uk/news/tories-prioritise-removing-human-rights> Tories
prioritise removing human rights
A survey of Conservatives has revealed that most consider withdrawal from
the European Convention of Human Rights a 'non-negotiable' should they be
forced to agree another Coalition with the Liberal Democrats.

New on the Coalition Timeline

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/coalition-timeline> Coalition Timeline.jpg
<http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/coalition-timeline> Click here to see the
Coalition Timeline

Public Sector

·         Royal Mail privatisation announced (10/07/2013)

·         Fined firm given NHS contract (03/09/2013)

·         Royal Mail to be sold off in "coming weeks" (12/09/2013)

Trade union rights

·         Tory attempts to create fear of unions (25/08/2013)

·         Lobbying Bill so extreme even Tories oppose it (03/09/2013)

·         U-turn expected on hated Lobbying Bill (06/09/2013)

·         New TUPE rules attack workers and trade unions (05/09/2013)

·         Tories prioritise removing human rights (10/09/2013)

·         Govt appeals trade union win on mass redundancy (18/09/2013)

Increasing vulnerability in the workplace

·         Shares for rights scheme comes into effect (01/09/2013)

Pay and benefits

·         Tories 'against asking LPC for higher minimum wage' (02/09/2013)

Equality

·         Govt-picked panel unpicks equality duty (19/09/2013)

New publications

<http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-co
llective-bargaining> Reconstruction after the crisis: a manifesto for
collective bargaining

<http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-co
llective-bargaining> Manifesto book cover shadow.jpgBy Professor Keith Ewing
and John Hendy QC

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.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/labour-law-highlights-2013> Labour Law
Highlights 2013

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/labour-law-highlights-2013>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Labour%20Law%20Highlight
s%202013%20cover%20website.thumbnail.jpgBy Rebecca Tuck, Betsan Criddle &
Stuart Brittenden

SPECIAL OFFER – 4 for the price of 1! Buy Labour Law Highlights 2013 and get
Labour Law Highlights 2012, 2011, and 2010 for free! Already got past copies
of Labour Law Highlights? You can still buy this year’s copy on its own for
the usual price of £8.

Forthcoming events

Our autumn events are our most popular and are already selling out, so make
sure you book in early!

Employment Law Update 2013

 <http://>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ELU%20London%20cover%20w
ebsite.thumbnail.jpg
Wednesday 09 October 2013
A one-day conference
Conference Chamber, 9th Floor, UNISON, Euston Road

<http://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2013-ken-gill-memorial-f
und-0>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ELU%20Liverpool%20cover.
thumbnail.jpgWednesday 06 November 2013
A one-day conference
The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool

Tupe Update: The New Regulations

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/events/tupe-update-new-regulations>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/TUPE%20Update%20cover.th
umbnail.jpgWednesday 23 October 2013
A one-day conference
UNISON, Euston Road, London

Labour Migration in Hard Times

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/events/labour-migration-hard-times>
http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Labour%20Migration%20in%
20Hard%20Times%20Cover.thumbnail.jpg
Wednesday 20 November 2013
A one-day conference
Diskus Room, Unite Building, Theobalds Road, 

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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