North West Conference Workplace Issues: Redundancy, Victimisation and Worse?

Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool

In response to requests from trade union reps facing the harsh realities of working life during an economic crisis, the Institute is organising an innovative one day conference aimed at equipping reps with the information required to assist their members. Having identified the most common issues that crop up day to day, the conference will bring together legal, trade union and social policy experts to determine what we as trade unionists can do to help protect our members and ensure workers rights are not undermined.

Thompsons, the most experienced firm of trade union solicitors in the country, will be providing expert lawyers to guide you through tricky workplace issues such as:

• Redundancies and restructuring
• Unilateral changes to terms and conditions
• Victimisation of reps and activists
• The use and abuse of grievance and disciplinary procedure by employers
• Time off for trade union duties and activities

Despite suggestions of economic recovery, trade union reps are battling against redundancies and job cuts; the imposition of lower terms and conditions including pay freezes; the use of grievance and disciplinary procedures to remove people from jobs without paying redundancy and the victimisation of reps negotiating and defending workplace agreements.

This conference will update you on what the law says and how best to use it. It will also provide case study presentations from trade unionists in the North West.

A number of specialist organisations will have stalls at the event to give advice on issues such as finances and debt, welfare benefits and tax credits, and skills training and education courses.

Programme

10.00 Registration, Tea/Coffee

10.20 Welcome from Chair
Carolyn Jones, Director, Institute of Employment Rights

10.30 Briefing: The Law on Contract Changes: scenarios and solutions
Neil Todd, Thompsons Solicitors

11.15 Questions

11:30 Tea/Coffee

11:45 Workplace Scenario: The Leeds Refuse Workers Dispute: Strategies For Success Desiree Risebury, Organiser, GMB Wakefield

12.00 Briefing: Redundancy and the Law: what, when and how?
Ellie Reeves, Thompsons Solicitors

12.45 Questions and discussion

1.00 LUNCH (not provided)

2.00 Workplace Scenario: Victimisation of trade union reps: a true life story Speaker to be confirmed

2.15 Briefing: New grievance and disciplinary procedures.
Jo Seery, Thompsons Solicitors

3.00 Briefing: New ACAS Code of Practice on time off for trade union duties and activities Richard Arthur, Thompsons Solicitors

3.45 Questions and discussion

4:00 Close

Who should attend
The conference will be of great interest to trade unionists, trade union reps, Union Learning Reps, and advice workers.

How to book
To reserve your place, complete the form below and send your cheque, made payable to IER, to Institute of Employment Rights, The People’s Centre, 50-54 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5SD. Fax 0151 702 6935. Or book online at www.ier.org.uk/events or email carolyns@ier.org.uk

CPD NPP and EPP accreditation
This conference counts for 4 credit hours under the Solicitors Regulation Authority CPD scheme, and the Bar Standards Board New Practitioners’ Programme and Established Practitioners’ Programme.

Additional Information
Details of nearby hotels are available from the office. Name changes are accepted up until the time of the event. Delegates who advise IER of their cancellation more than 15 working days in advance will receive a credit note with 10% deduction for administration.

How to get there
Train: Lime St Station (British Rail) and Central Station (Merseyrail) 5 minute walk away. Bus: 500 from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to City Centre.

Cost
IER subscribers and members £75.00
Trade unions £90.00
Commercial £220.00

The cost of the conference does not include lunch.

Book and pay for your place now

or download an emailable booking form here