Thursday 21 March 2019

A one-day conference
Unite the Union, Liverpool
9.30am - 3.00pm

About the Conference

At this interactive, hands-on conference, trade union representatives and others interested in defending workers’ rights will learn how recent changes in the law are being interpreted in the courts, as well as given the opportunity to apply what they learn to issues in their own workplace.

Workers’ rights are governed through two processes: primary legislation – that is, the law as agreed by parliament; and case law – that is, the decisions and rulings made by the court system. Case law is of vital importance to workers’ rights because it clarifies how Acts of Parliament are likely to be interpreted and implemented by judges, while in the case of judicial review – such as the Supreme Court’s ruling on the unlawfulness of tribunal fees – it can overturn the law altogether.

Some of the most important case law developments in recent years have centred around the rights of ‘gig workers’. In several landmark cases, judges have ruled that individuals hitherto treated as ‘independent contractors’ by their employers were actually ‘workers’ under the law and therefore entitled to basic workers’ rights such as the minimum wage, holiday pay and rest breaks.

Elsewhere, there have been important developments in the implementation of the Trade Union Act 2016, where courts have clarified the requirements that trade unions and employers must meet to stay within the bounds of the new legislation.

Sessions will be led by lawyers from the Old Square Chambers team behind the Institute of Employment Rights’ popular annual publication – Labour Law Highlights. They will cover a wide range of employment issues, including trade union rights, employment status, whistleblowing, and discrimination.

Cost

A discount is available to those who pay upfront (before the date of the conference) either online or by cheque. Those who pay by invoice will pay full price.

Location

Unite the Union
128 Theobald's Road
London
WC1X 8TN

Additional Information

Click here for information on how to book, who should attend and CPD, NPP and EPP Accreditation

Three easy ways to book your place

1. Book online:
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2. Book by cheque by filling out our booking form and returning it by email or post
3. Book by invoice by filling out our booking form and returning it by email or post

Speakers

Chaired by Nerys Owen, Labour Research Department

Betsan Criddle, Old Square Chambers
Collective issues and industrial action

Betsan Criddle and Bruno Gill, Old Square Chambers
Worker status disputes

Bruno Gill, Old Square Chambers
Whistleblowing and discrimination – important cases of 2018

Delegates will be invited to workshop the issues they learn about in breakout groups between each session, with the opportunity to apply their new knowledge to challenges in their own workplaces.

Click here to download the full programme