TUC Policy
@tuceconomics.bsky.social
TUC policy teams on economics, workers' rights, wages, social security, pensions, corporate governance, AI & tech and climate & industrial policy.
For decades unions have fought bad employers industrially, politically and in the courts when they have sought to undermine workers' collective voice.
Great that this latest attempt to bypass unions has been roundly condemned in parliament.
Great that this latest attempt to bypass unions has been roundly condemned in parliament.
🧵This week I led a debate on a dispute in my constituency between @unitetheunion.bsky.social and @unisontheunion.bsky.social workers and Livv Housing.
Instead of meaningfully engaging with unions, Livv is attacking collective bargaining, offering pay rise only those NOT in a trade union.
Instead of meaningfully engaging with unions, Livv is attacking collective bargaining, offering pay rise only those NOT in a trade union.
January 30, 2025 at 11:52 AM
For decades unions have fought bad employers industrially, politically and in the courts when they have sought to undermine workers' collective voice.
Great that this latest attempt to bypass unions has been roundly condemned in parliament.
Great that this latest attempt to bypass unions has been roundly condemned in parliament.
The way unions and employers engage is set for an overhaul. The employment rights bill going through parliament paves the way for a bigger role for unions in the economy. What does this mean for unions and how do unions and employers interact today?
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: The role of Unions as strategic partners. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Join the TUC, TSB and Accord for this webinar, where we will explore the changing landscape Unions are operating in, the expectations placed on them and how this is shaping the role they play in engag...
gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
January 21, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The way unions and employers engage is set for an overhaul. The employment rights bill going through parliament paves the way for a bigger role for unions in the economy. What does this mean for unions and how do unions and employers interact today?
The TUC is urging the government to ensure that workers receive the lower of their earnings or statutory sick pay. At the very least they should receive 95 per cent of pay to reflect the payments received by the lowest-earning workers who currently qualify for SSP.
Ministers are soon to decide on the statutory sick pay rate for low earners. The conclusion they come to will have a huge impact on many households' budgets.
www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/sick-p...
www.tuc.org.uk/blogs/sick-p...
Sick pay decision for 2 million low-paid workers will impact families' living standards
How much should someone receive when they are off sick from work? This is the question that ministers will be considering in the early weeks of 2025. And the answer they arrive at will have a huge imp...
www.tuc.org.uk
January 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The TUC is urging the government to ensure that workers receive the lower of their earnings or statutory sick pay. At the very least they should receive 95 per cent of pay to reflect the payments received by the lowest-earning workers who currently qualify for SSP.
Reposted by TUC Policy
Good to see retailers backtrack on these absurd arrangements.
Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush stop hiring UK workers via gig economy apps www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush stop hiring UK workers via gig economy apps www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush stop hiring UK workers via gig economy apps
TUC criticise retailers for endangering workers’ rights by using apps such as YoungOnes and Temper
www.theguardian.com
January 5, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Good to see retailers backtrack on these absurd arrangements.
Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush stop hiring UK workers via gig economy apps www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush stop hiring UK workers via gig economy apps www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by TUC Policy
The rise in retailers using gig apps to hire workers as freelancers rather than staff is extremely worrying. Shop workers end up losing out on significant employment rights.
It's good to see these firms listening to our advice and ending their use of the practice.
It's good to see these firms listening to our advice and ending their use of the practice.
Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush stop hiring UK workers via gig economy apps
TUC criticise retailers for endangering workers’ rights by using apps such as YoungOnes and Temper
www.theguardian.com
January 6, 2025 at 11:03 AM
The rise in retailers using gig apps to hire workers as freelancers rather than staff is extremely worrying. Shop workers end up losing out on significant employment rights.
It's good to see these firms listening to our advice and ending their use of the practice.
It's good to see these firms listening to our advice and ending their use of the practice.
@steveakehurst.bsky.social tells #TUCdecentwork conference: "Once you get beyond the lobbyists who make a lot of noise in Westminster, you find a lot of support for these changes [in Employment Rights Bill]... across both large and small businesses."
December 5, 2024 at 4:43 PM
@steveakehurst.bsky.social tells #TUCdecentwork conference: "Once you get beyond the lobbyists who make a lot of noise in Westminster, you find a lot of support for these changes [in Employment Rights Bill]... across both large and small businesses."
@jrf-uk.bsky.social's @paulkissack.bsky.social says people with caring responsibilities are more likely to be in poverty.
"These have to be part of a wider debate about making work pay."
#TUCdecentwork
"These have to be part of a wider debate about making work pay."
#TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 4:28 PM
@jrf-uk.bsky.social's @paulkissack.bsky.social says people with caring responsibilities are more likely to be in poverty.
"These have to be part of a wider debate about making work pay."
#TUCdecentwork
"These have to be part of a wider debate about making work pay."
#TUCdecentwork
Jeni Tennison of @connectedbydata.org tells the
#TUCdecentwork conference that there needs to be more co-creation with tech at work so that workers are involved in the adoption of technology at an early stage.
#TUCdecentwork conference that there needs to be more co-creation with tech at work so that workers are involved in the adoption of technology at an early stage.
December 5, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Jeni Tennison of @connectedbydata.org tells the
#TUCdecentwork conference that there needs to be more co-creation with tech at work so that workers are involved in the adoption of technology at an early stage.
#TUCdecentwork conference that there needs to be more co-creation with tech at work so that workers are involved in the adoption of technology at an early stage.
Michael Ford KC of Old Square Chambers tells the #TUCdecentwork conference that substitution clauses, use of intermediaries such as umbrella companies, and use of agency workers are deployed by employers to take those they hire out of the employment relationship.
December 5, 2024 at 4:18 PM
Michael Ford KC of Old Square Chambers tells the #TUCdecentwork conference that substitution clauses, use of intermediaries such as umbrella companies, and use of agency workers are deployed by employers to take those they hire out of the employment relationship.
Reposted by TUC Policy
Michele O'Neil l, president of the Australian unions, tells #TUCdecentwork event that labour law reforms Down Under has been followed by a 20 per cent growth in collective bargaining coverage. Have also seen a strong growth in wages and accelerated closing of gender pay growth.
December 5, 2024 at 3:53 PM
Michele O'Neil l, president of the Australian unions, tells #TUCdecentwork event that labour law reforms Down Under has been followed by a 20 per cent growth in collective bargaining coverage. Have also seen a strong growth in wages and accelerated closing of gender pay growth.
Michele O'Neil of the Australian Council of Trade Unions highlights the introduction of multi-employer bargaining in Australia and the effective prohibition on employers cancelling collective agreements.
#TUCdecentwork
#TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 3:39 PM
Michele O'Neil of the Australian Council of Trade Unions highlights the introduction of multi-employer bargaining in Australia and the effective prohibition on employers cancelling collective agreements.
#TUCdecentwork
#TUCdecentwork
GMB union organiser Amanda Gearing says you can only change conditions in places like Amazon once you get reps on the inside.
Union is calling for changes to union recognition process to stop union busting.
Took GMB 142 days to get a 12-page access agreement agreed at Amazon Coventry.
#TUCdecentwork
Union is calling for changes to union recognition process to stop union busting.
Took GMB 142 days to get a 12-page access agreement agreed at Amazon Coventry.
#TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 2:25 PM
GMB union organiser Amanda Gearing says you can only change conditions in places like Amazon once you get reps on the inside.
Union is calling for changes to union recognition process to stop union busting.
Took GMB 142 days to get a 12-page access agreement agreed at Amazon Coventry.
#TUCdecentwork
Union is calling for changes to union recognition process to stop union busting.
Took GMB 142 days to get a 12-page access agreement agreed at Amazon Coventry.
#TUCdecentwork
Reposted by TUC Policy
Prof @melaniesimms.bsky.social of @uofglasgow.bsky.social tells #TUCdecentwork session that the Scottish experience is that disorganisation of employer voices is major challenge. This could be an issue for UK govt's labour rights reforms. Need recollectivisation, so employer bodies have legitimacy.
December 5, 2024 at 2:19 PM
Prof @melaniesimms.bsky.social of @uofglasgow.bsky.social tells #TUCdecentwork session that the Scottish experience is that disorganisation of employer voices is major challenge. This could be an issue for UK govt's labour rights reforms. Need recollectivisation, so employer bodies have legitimacy.
Reposted by TUC Policy
Margaret Beels OBE says transparency and constant reporting from the Fair Work Agency will be key to ensuring to delivers strong enforcement - of workers’ rights- panel discussion @tuceconomics.bsky.social chaired by @financialfairness.bsky.social CEO Mubin Haq.
December 5, 2024 at 2:15 PM
Margaret Beels OBE says transparency and constant reporting from the Fair Work Agency will be key to ensuring to delivers strong enforcement - of workers’ rights- panel discussion @tuceconomics.bsky.social chaired by @financialfairness.bsky.social CEO Mubin Haq.
Reposted by TUC Policy
Prof Alan Bogg of @bristoluni.bsky.social says: "I don't think the employment rights bill would lead to a revolution. But it would lead to a critical rebalancing of the UK labour market." Argues that more collective bargaining could lead to less reliance on individual legal rights.
#TUCDecentwork
#TUCDecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Prof Alan Bogg of @bristoluni.bsky.social says: "I don't think the employment rights bill would lead to a revolution. But it would lead to a critical rebalancing of the UK labour market." Argues that more collective bargaining could lead to less reliance on individual legal rights.
#TUCDecentwork
#TUCDecentwork
Reposted by TUC Policy
Our Trustee, Kate Bell, says when considering trade offs between improving employment rights and costs to employers, we can’t just focus on short term adjustment costs. We need to take a long view of how we want our labour market to grow and evolve.
December 5, 2024 at 12:28 PM
Our Trustee, Kate Bell, says when considering trade offs between improving employment rights and costs to employers, we can’t just focus on short term adjustment costs. We need to take a long view of how we want our labour market to grow and evolve.
Reposted by TUC Policy
Stephen Phipson also talks about how the most important thing employers are worried about is recruitment/retention of skilled staff& skill shortages are one of the key challenges. In addition to training/upskilling we need to address workers leaving the labour market due to bad working conditions
Stephen Phipson, of manufacturers' trade body Make UK, tells #TUCdecentwork event 85 per cent of members fully support government employment rights changes. Big challenge for them is shortage of skilled workers. "We are seeing lots of big projects disappearing from this country because of that."
December 5, 2024 at 12:23 PM
Stephen Phipson also talks about how the most important thing employers are worried about is recruitment/retention of skilled staff& skill shortages are one of the key challenges. In addition to training/upskilling we need to address workers leaving the labour market due to bad working conditions
Reposted by TUC Policy
Sasha Romanovitch-commission for healthier working lives- discusses the need to not think of disability as a binary state, as there can be fluctuations, but also the need for employers to focus on what workers can do rather than what they cannot do. #TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 12:11 PM
Sasha Romanovitch-commission for healthier working lives- discusses the need to not think of disability as a binary state, as there can be fluctuations, but also the need for employers to focus on what workers can do rather than what they cannot do. #TUCdecentwork
Darren Jones condemns zero hours contracts: "It is impossible for you to have security at work or home if you've no idea what money is coming through the door. This is something we thought we banished decades ago. People who do regular work have the right to a regular contract." #TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 11:27 AM
Darren Jones condemns zero hours contracts: "It is impossible for you to have security at work or home if you've no idea what money is coming through the door. This is something we thought we banished decades ago. People who do regular work have the right to a regular contract." #TUCdecentwork
Reposted by TUC Policy
Treasury minister Darren Jones says quality of work matters.
"Too often work is low paid, insecure and of poor quality, failing to keep pace with a changing economy."
#TUCdecentwork
"Too often work is low paid, insecure and of poor quality, failing to keep pace with a changing economy."
#TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 11:12 AM
Treasury minister Darren Jones says quality of work matters.
"Too often work is low paid, insecure and of poor quality, failing to keep pace with a changing economy."
#TUCdecentwork
"Too often work is low paid, insecure and of poor quality, failing to keep pace with a changing economy."
#TUCdecentwork
Reposted by TUC Policy
This is such an important point. Sarah also made a crucial point about state enforcement agencies acting swiftly. "You need to be able to call out a business model... rather than wait 7/8 years down the line for an employment tribunal to say the same thing."
.@sarahoconnorft.bsky.social says that employment rights enforcement needs both more resources and "a better attitude".
"We need to bang heads together and say we are going to sort this out."
#TUCdecentwork
"We need to bang heads together and say we are going to sort this out."
#TUCdecentwork
December 5, 2024 at 10:34 AM
This is such an important point. Sarah also made a crucial point about state enforcement agencies acting swiftly. "You need to be able to call out a business model... rather than wait 7/8 years down the line for an employment tribunal to say the same thing."
Reposted by TUC Policy
At the #TUCdecentwork conference @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social discusses where employers don't actually know what is good for business and also good for workers, using the example of schedule predictability of retail workers
December 5, 2024 at 10:14 AM
At the #TUCdecentwork conference @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social discusses where employers don't actually know what is good for business and also good for workers, using the example of schedule predictability of retail workers
Reposted by TUC Policy
In the first panel session at the #TUCDecentwork conference, FT's @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social says: "Sometimes businesses don't always know what is good for them." Executives often unaware of conditions on shop floor. Says there is a problem with poor quality work in the UK.
December 5, 2024 at 10:12 AM
In the first panel session at the #TUCDecentwork conference, FT's @sarahoconnorft.bsky.social says: "Sometimes businesses don't always know what is good for them." Executives often unaware of conditions on shop floor. Says there is a problem with poor quality work in the UK.
TUC General Secretary opens the TUC Decent Work conference telling delegates that the Employment Rights Bill will be the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation.
#Decentwork
#Decentwork
December 5, 2024 at 9:42 AM
TUC General Secretary opens the TUC Decent Work conference telling delegates that the Employment Rights Bill will be the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation.
#Decentwork
#Decentwork