Trade union membership grows for third year running
The public profile of trade unions has been enhanced by their successes in negotiating worker protections during the pandemic.
News brief - 29/05/20 View this email in your browser
Trade union membership grows for third year running
The number of workers who are members of trade unions has grown for the third year running, increasing by nearly 100,000 people.
Official figures from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy found there are now 91,000 more trade union members than there were at the same time last year.
Women are driving the increase, now accounting for nearly half of all trade unionists at 3.69 million of a total 6.44 million trade union members.
Although these figures do not cover the period of the Coronavirus crisis, TUC General Secretary, Frances O'Grady, said interest in trade unions has only increased through the pandemic.
“We know that in the last few months, thousands of workers have been turning to unions to protect their jobs, defend their rights and keep their workplaces safe,” she said.
“The hard work and dedication of millions of workers has brought us through this crisis. And together – in our unions – we can work our way out of recession.”
Indeed, the trade unions have won numerous successes during the pandemic, including pushing for the establishment of the furlough scheme.
Today, 15 health unions worked together to a agree a new overtime template that will apply to all NHS workers in England, which ensures that they are paid for every hour they work during the crisis.
The IER's experts are working on proposals to ensure trade unions are able to continue providing a voice for the UK's 33 million workers as we emerge from lockdown and face up to a recession that threatens to parallel the Great Depression of the 1930s.
Our next free online event - Post-pandemic policy proposals - will be held this Tuesday 02 June 2020 between 7pm and 8pm and will bring IER experts together with the Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights and Protections, Andy McDonald, to discuss how a new economic framework can grow out of this crisis.
Professor Keith Ewing and Lord John Hendy QC will join Andy McDonald on a panel chaired by IER Director Carolyn Jones.
The event, held on the Zoom platform, is nearly sold out and registration is required. Please book your seats now to prevent disappointment and follow us on Twitter to be the first to hear about our online schedule of events.
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NEW BRIEFING: Relevant health and safety law for workers during Coronavirus
Lord John Hendy QC briefs on the health and safety legislation relevant to workers during the Coronavirus and its implications for working conditions.
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IER and Covid-19
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.
IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.
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