[IER] News Brief 8 October

Wed Oct 8 16:27:54 BST 2014

News Brief 8 October     <http://www.ier.org.uk/node/2179> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.img_assist_custom.gif

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/node/2179> View in your browser

By Claudia O’Brien

In the news this week

Predicable announcements from Tory conference included  <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/tory-conference-tax-cuts-and-%C2%A33bn-benefit-freezes> benefits freezes and tax cuts to benefit the rich. Cameron’s declaration to scrap the Human Rights Act has been widely condemned, with the party’s own former Attorney General Dominic Grieve calling the proposals “puerile” and full of factual errors.

The subject of Human Rights and Trade Unions will be covered in the IER’s Employment Law Update conference in Liverpool coming up soon (Oct 22).

New Publication

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/trade-unions-and-economic-inequality> 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 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/trade-unions-and-economic-inequality>  here

Whose recovery is it?

  <http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Screen%20Shot%202014-10-03%20at%2014.21.05_0.thumbnail.png> 

By Rae Delanie Passfield

Income inequality in the UK is one of the worst in the developed 
world. With the five richest families holding more wealth than
the bottom 20 per cent of the entire population, it is unsurprising
people are so frustrated with the system. The IER and Class have published a report 
that discusses this disparity and how trade unions can offer vital empowerment for 
those battling against it. It highlights how inadequate work, low pay and the rising 
cost of living is trapping working people into poverty and compromising any chance 
of a balanced economic revival.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/blog/whose-recovery-it> Read more…

Publications

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/re-regulating-zero-hours-contracts> 

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/re-regulating-zero-hours-contracts> 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 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/re-regulating-zero-hours-contracts>  here

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/tupe-2014> 

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/tupe-2014> TUPE 2014

By Richard Arthur

A collection of papers by the UK’s leading experts on labour 
migration on the exploitation of migrant workers and the need for
labour law reform.

Forthcoming Events

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/events/employment-law-update-2014-liverpool-0> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ELU%20Lpool%2022-10-14_1.img_assist_custom.jpgEmployment Law Update 2014, Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool

Wednesday 22 October 2014
This 7th annual IER conference in the North West is designed to 
ensure trade union representatives are kept up to date and 
well-informed about developments in employment law. It is a must go to event for 
anyone with an interest in employment law and the protection of collective and 
individual workers’ rights.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/events/equality-and-discrimination-what-next-equal-rights-1> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Eq%20&%20Disc%20Lond%2019-11-14.img_assist_custom.jpgEquality and Discrimination: What Next For Equal 
Rights? Unite the Union, London

Wednesday 19 November 2014
Four years after the introduction of the Equality Act and where 
are we now? Leading equality experts from the law, trade unions 
and academia will come together to critically assess the latest case 
law, precedents and evidence and anticipate where they will lead us in terms of 
ensuring fairness at work for all.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/events/tupe-update-new-regulations-liverpool> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/TUPE%20Lpool%203-12-14.img_assist_custom.jpgTUPE Update: the new Regulations, Adelphi Hotel, 
Liverpool

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
The government published new TUPE Regulations in November 
2013, revealing service provision rules will not be repealed, but 
several changes will be made that could hinder trade union activity. There are many uncertainties about the new regulations and the conference will aim to provide 
answers to many questions plus any additional questions from delegates on the day.

IER Manifesto for Collective Bargaining

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Collective%20Bargaining%20infographic.thumbnail.jpg

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/ten-point-collective-bargaining-manifesto> Read the ten-point manifesto

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/publications/reconstruction-after-crisis-manifesto-collective-bargaining> Buy the book

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/watch-experts> VIDEOS: Watch the experts

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/listen-experts> PODCASTS: Listen to the experts

Our mailing address is:

Institute of Employment Rights

4th Floor

Jack Jones House

1 Islington

Liverpool

L3 8EG

 <mailto:office at ier.org.uk> office at ier.org.uk

To unsubscribe, please follow the instructions in the footer.  If you are unable to see the footer or have problems unsubscribing, please click here or email  <mailto:unsubscribe at ier.org.uk> unsubscribe at ier.org.uk.

Economy:

·         Osbourne pledges benefit freezes (26/9/2014)

Public Sector:

·         Legal aid reforms process was illegal (3/10/2014)

Other:

·         MPs vote for ISIS airstrikes (29/9/2014)

New on the Coalition Timeline

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/resources/coalition-timeline> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Screen%20Shot%202014-07-25%20at%2011.29.14.img_assist_custom.png

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

Government acted illegally in legal aid cuts, rules High Court

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/government-acted-illegally-legal-aid-cuts-rules-high-court> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif

The high court has ruled that the government acted illegally in the consultation process carried out before the cuts. The Ministry of Justice had denied those involved in the consultation process access to reports by accountants KPMG and Otterburn. These reports were the basis for the decision of how many contracts for criminal advisory work would be available to solicitors firms.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/government-acted-illegally-legal-aid-cuts-rules-high-court> Read More…

National Minimum Wage restored to 2005 level

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/minimum-wage-restored-2005-level> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif

The National Minimum Wage has risen from £6.31 to £6.50. While in real-terms (measured against CPI inflation) this was the first rise in six years, the NMW remains 4.2% below its peak in October 2008, and is roughly equivalent to what it was in 2005. If the NMW had continued to rise at its pre-crisis rate, it would now be £8.50. Research by the Resolution Foundation has shown an increase in the NMW affects more people than it used to, with the number of workers on NMW having doubled since its introduction; in 1999 the figure stood at 600,000, whereas today it is 1.2 million.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/minimum-wage-restored-2005-level> Read More…

Cameron threatens human rights

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/camerons-threat-human-rights> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/ierlogo-newssection.thumbnail.gif

As expected, David Cameron pledged to scrap the Human Rights Act in his speech to Conservative party conference. On human rights he said, “Let me put this very clearly: we do not require instruction on this from judges in Strasbourg. So at long last, with a Conservative government after the next election, this country will have a new British Bill of Rights, to be passed in our parliament, rooted in our values. And as for Labour’s Human Rights Act? We will scrap it, once and for all.”. Watch this space, as an in-depth report detailing the implications of withdrawing from the European Convention of Human Rights is soon to be released by the IER.

 <http://www.ier.org.uk/news/camerons-threat-human-rights> Read More…

Equality and Human Right Commission calls for evidence on religion or belief issues

 <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/our-work/key-projects/religion-or-belief-tell-us-about-your-experiences> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/Screen%20Shot%202014-09-26%20at%2016.37.59_0.thumbnail.png

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a major call for evidence from individuals and organisations about how their religion or belief, or that of other people, may have affected their experiences in the workplace and in using the services and facilities they need in everyday life. The Commission wants to gather as much information as possible from members of the public, employers, providers of services, legal advisors and religion or belief organisations. So if you have a relevant experience to share, you are urged to respond. To do this, or to find out more, go to the Commission’s website at:

 <http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/our-work/key-projects/religion-or-belief-tell-us-about-your-experiences> www.equalityhumanrights.com/religion

Help us to celebrate 25 years of the Institute

http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/images/25th%20Anniversary.img_assist_custom.png

Donations are coming in daily to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Institute. If you make a donation, don’t forget to send us a supporting statement about why you support the institute. So, whether you’re an individual or a branch, whether it’s £25 or £250  <http://www.ier.org.uk/node/%E2%80%9Chttp:/www.ier.org.uk/about-us/help-us-celebrate-25-years-institute%22> join inand you’ll be included in out monthly draw to win a free place at an IER event!
The latest draw winners are:
Mandy Berger, UNISON
David Hope, GMB
Fred Brown, NASUWT/BELFAST

 <http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/law/distance-learning-llm/distance-learning-llm-employment-law?utm_source=IER&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=Employment%20law%20LLM%20apply&utm_campaign=LAW9> http://www.ier.org.uk/sites/ier.org.uk/files/UOL_Law_120x35_0.gif

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