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The head of the UK’s largest trade union has issued a strong warning against any potential weakening of the government’s Employment Rights Bill, which is slated for enactment in the coming weeks.
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea expressed concerns that the government’s commitment to fully implementing the Bill may be wavering, particularly following the departure of Angela Rayner and the recent cabinet reshuffle. Other unions have echoed these concerns.
The legislation represents a significant overhaul of workers’ rights, including provisions for enhanced protection against unfair dismissal and a ban on what are described as “exploitative” zero-hours contracts.
These warnings coincide with comments from a senior Labour MP to the BBC, suggesting that the Bill is at risk of being “slow walked.”
The MP cautioned, “Many Labour colleagues fear that with the economy under strain, ministers may be tempted to drag their feet on implementation as an olive branch to business.”
At the Trades Union Congress in Brighton, prominent union figures have voiced apprehension that the Bill could be diluted in the wake of Angela Rayner’s departure, the dismissal of Justin Madders as Employment Minister, and the reassignment of Jonathan Reynolds from Business to Chief Whip.
Trade union leaders are expressing significant unease, fearing that the loss of Angela Rayner represents the departure of a staunch advocate for workers’ rights within the government.
Unison represents over a million workers, many in relatively low-paid positions. General Secretary Christina McAnea is typically known for her cooperative relationship with the government.
“It’s very significant and very worrying that they’ve been moved,” Ms. McAnea told the BBC.
“It doesn’t send out a very good message that the people who were absolutely committed to driving through the employment rights bill are no longer doing those jobs,” she stated.
“No names are coming forward that really fill me with confidence that the party is still committed and the government is still committed to taking this through.”
She described the proposed legislation as a “once in a lifetime opportunity” for the government to “shift the dial just slightly in favor of working people.”
Ms. McAnea indicated that other union leaders share her sentiments and that any attempt to “pull back” on the bill would be a “huge mistake” that unions would “furiously” campaign against.
“We will do everything we can to make sure this is not watered down. We’re expecting a clear timetable, and if that doesn’t happen, there will be some very very unhappy trade union leaders around, including me,” she added.
The TUC has also urged the government to “stay on course” in delivering the bill.
Its General Secretary, Paul Novak, told the BBC, “I am confident that the government will deliver on its commitments to enact that employment rights bill in full.”
Notably, concern is emanating from unions on the more moderate end of the trade union movement, rather than the usual critics of the government.
Mr. Novak stated that the bill “will give a massive boost to rights for millions of working people in this country, lots of whom are in insecure, low-paid employment.”
“My message to the government is, stay on course, deliver the employment rights bill, and deliver it in full,” he emphasized.
He also dismissed the notion that the government should make concessions to business interests in the legislation.
“I think that’s the last thing government should countenance,” Mr. Novak asserted.
“Having people in well-paid, secure employment is good for everybody. It’s good for workers, but it’s also good for the good employers who are being undercut by the cowboys, and it’s good for the UK economy.”
USDAW represents over 300,000 workers, many of whom are employed in supermarkets, factories, and warehouses.
The union is concerned that an amendment to the Employment Rights Bill, introduced by the House of Lords in July, could be adopted by the government.
The amendment proposes changing the bill from mandating employers to offer guaranteed hours to granting employees the right to request guaranteed hours.
The union fears this would weaken their members’ rights by eliminating the right to a contract reflecting their standard working hours.
The Federation of Small Businesses has told the BBC that Angela Rayner’s resignation and the government reshuffle present an opportunity to “fix the issues” with the Employment Rights Bill.
“In some of our recent polling of members, 92% of employers said they were worried about this legislation. We have never got to that level in a poll,” said Craig Beaumont, director of policy at the FSB.
“They are overwhelmed by the changes that are coming. They don’t have HR teams. All these different measures scare them, and this is a chance to fix the issues.”
Mr. Beaumont suggested that Rayner’s resignation and the dismissal of Employment Minister Madders – both key government proponents of the bill – could pave the way for compromise.
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