News brief - 03/07/20 View this email in your browser
Most Brits want economic change, research finds
New research this week revealed that only 6% of people in the UK want the economy to continue as it was before the Coronavirus pandemic hit.
A poll by YouGov revealed that nearly one in three people – 31% – are in favour of major changes to economic policy, while 28% backed moderate changes.
Almost half – 49% – of respondents felt that the pandemic had deepened existing inequalities, and 44% were pessimistic about the country’s economic future.
At the IER's free Zoom event this week - the sixth in our Covid-19 webinar series - trade union leaders, academics, and surprise guest John McDonnell MP discussed the role of trade unions in affecting such change.
The seminar came after Boris Johnson announced his "new deal", trailed as a "Roosevelt" moment, although our guests said it was anything but.
McDonnell warned delegates not to trust Johnson's promise to avoid further austerity measures, predicting pay freezes in the near future. With a solid Conservative majority in the House of Commons, he said trade unions have a key role in protecting workers during the economic turmoil to come.
Talking about their approach to this task, General Secretaries Dave Ward (CWU), Mark Serwotka (PCS) and Matt Wrack (FBU) agreed that trade unions must work more closely together, act on behalf of the movement as a whole, and learn from independent unions like the IWGB and UVW.
Professor Lydia Hayes of the University of Kent discussed the role of collective bargaining in improving working conditions and pay, particularly in the hard-hit social care sector.
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Teaching unions urge govt to ensure schools are Covid-secure before reopening
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Unemployment expected to grow by 3.5m
New research by the Bank of England has predicted that one in ten people will be out of work by the end of the year.
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NEU stands up to Education Secretary’s “clumsy” criticisms of workers’ voice
Gavin Williamson branded the teaching union the "no education union" while promising a crackdown on workers' voice to backbench MPs.
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Most Brits want economic change, poll finds
Only 6% said they wanted the economy to continue to take the same shape it took before the Coronavirus crisis.
Read the full report
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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