For years, unions have called the Swedish derogation and “Undercutters’ Charter”Read more…
Insecure workers need change – ministers must up their game
The situation facing insecure workers in this country is still incredibly grim. Government must do more to shift the balance of power.Read more…
Which of the government's Taylor Review proposals will benefit insecure workers?
It’s disappointing that the government’s response to the Taylor Report, published today, watered down what were already weak proposals on enforcing employment rights. But there are still some…Read more…
Taylor Review: Government should take the opportunity to make work truly transparent
The government’s response to the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices heralds a chance to do something to help working people. Will they be bold enough to grasp this opportunity? Read more…
Nationalising water is affordable, keeping it private might not be
Better to invest in bringing assets into public ownership when we can, rather than have to pay more to bail them out when we must.Read more…
The Taylor review is a chance for the PM to make good on her promises of reform
Theresa May promised a government ‘embarked on an ambitious programme of economic and social reform’. She has a chance to bring that pledge to life, when the Government responds to the Taylor review…Read more…
Ruling out a customs union risks jobs and undermines peace in Northern Ireland
Downing Street has again ruled out any form of customs union with the EU, after days of speculation that Theresa May was preparing to soften her stance.Read more…
The Inflation game – RPI wins in court but pensions still in danger after Carney comments
The courts have effectively sided with members of the public in a long-running dispute over how companies and governments account for price increases.Read more…
The Iranian regime is playing cat and mouse with trade unionists – take action
The struggle for trade union rights in Iran is being pursued not only by the workers of Iran themselves, but trade unionists around the world.Read more…
Weakest GDP growth for 5 years driven by slowdown in services output
While GDP growth at the end of the year is up to 0.5% on a rising global tide, this has been a bad year.Read more…
UK health and safety regulations break international law
UK sick pay for self-employed and jobless people is "manifestly inadequate", according to the European committee on social rights.Read more…
Are we seeing the return of the full-time employee?
There are tentative signs that the long-running shift from conventional employment to self-employment is beginning to reverse.Read more…
Carillion pensions: do not trust the horse, Trojans
With the failure of Carillion, another corporate collapse leaves thousands of workers with uncertain futures and many may face reduced pensions.Read more…
Digitalisation in the energy sector is about more than smart meters – it must meet the needs of the workforce
Energy generation has had to move with and anticipate the times, from solar panels and wind technology, to smart metering. But with these changes come demand for skilled operatives, engineers and…Read more…
Workers’ rights and social justice in Brazil: the issues at stake in Lula’s trial
On Wednesday 24 January, Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva goes on trial for alleged corruption. In fact, the trial is simply the latest attempt by Brazil’s rich and powerful elites to prevent…Read more…
What government, employers and reps can do to challenge transphobia at work
Trans people still suffer high levels of hate crime, violence and discrimination in almost every settingRead more…
Casualisation leaves workers facing a difficult and uncertain labour market
Much of the employment created in the UK in recent years has been low paid and insecure, as reflected in the increasing use of zero hours contracts and the growth in gig economy jobs.Read more…
Insecure contracts create interlocking pressures both at work and home.
In the absence of workplace security, workers across all sectors reported upon growing pressures at work and widely testified to feelings of worthlessness, vulnerability and fear in the face of…Read more…
Preventing suicide – the work connection
There can be few more tragic issues that a union representative has to deal with than the suicide of a fellow worker.Read more…
What are my rights if my employer goes insolvent?
Your questions answered. (Hint: as an employee you’ll still have employment protections, but if you work through an agency, are on a zero-hours or are categorised as self-employed you might lose out…Read more…