The Employment Rights Bill: A New Era For Workers?

What will Labour's new employment legislation bring for workers and trade unions?In this insightful episode, Carolyn Jones Vice President of the Institute of Employment Rights is joined by Lord John Hendy KC and Professor Keith Ewing to discuss the imperative need for comprehensive reforms in UK labour laws.Reflecting on changes since the Thatcher era, they explore critical issues such as sectoral collective bargaining, the establishment of a Ministry of Labour, and alignment with international legal standards.Key topics include the Labour Party’s new Employment Rights Bill, the impact of weakened trade unions, the controversial nine-month probation period, and specific cases like the P&O Ferries dismissals.The discussion emphasises the importance of effective enforcement mechanisms, protecting workers' rights, and the political dynamics influencing these legislative changes.Listeners are encouraged to engage in the debate over these pressing labour law reforms.About The Institute for Employment RightsThe IER aims to develop modern employment laws and offers publications, briefings, and conference papers.Supporters can subscribe and receive newsletters at www.ier.org.uk.Episode Chapters:00:00 The Employment Rights Bill: A New Era For Workers?00:37 Introduction03:01 Why UK Labour Law Needs Revision05:45 Four Pillars of Robust Employment Rights07:41 A Ministry of Labour Still Needed11:50 Sectoral Collective Bargaining17:15 Collective Action, Collective Rights20:02 P&O Ferries: A Case Study22:48 Legal Impunity For Businesses27:29 Day One Rights Vs Probation Periods30:28 Amending The Employment Rights Bill32:07 ConclusionThe IER podcast is supported by Thompsons Solicitors.For Thompsons resources and advice on Trade Union law visit thompsonstradeunion.law.This podcast is produced for IER by Creative Kin.To find out more, visit creativekin.co.uk.Recorded at Creative Kin's London studios.Studio Producer and Editor: Jason CaffreyTheme Music: Daniel Jorgensen

Om Podcasten

The IER is delighted to launch our new podcast. In this 6-part series, our labour law experts will be dissecting the new employment legislation brought forward by Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government. As many of our readers will know, the IER have been informing the debate on improving and strengthening labour laws for workers over the last 30 years. This body of work (undertaken on a voluntary basis by our labour law academics and lawyers) provided the blueprint for Labour's green paper on employment rights, New Deal for Workers document, their National Policy Forum document, and now their 'Making Work Pay' proposals, which are being brought to life by the Government's proposed Employment Rights Bill. Join us, as our experts consider how the proposals in the Bill measure up, and as we highlight the pitfalls and the possibilities the Bill may pose for the UK's 33 million workers. The IER Podcast is kindly supported by Thompsons Solicitors ( https://www.thompsonstradeunion.law/ ).