IER experts to hold free seminar on new trade union rights Bill

The event aims to highlight the opportunities presented by the legislation and how trade unions and campaigners can make the most of them.

In 2019, the IER contributed to the Fair Work Commission’s review into employment standards through the submission of its 2016 Manifesto for Labour Law.

Many of the proposals contained within the Manifesto have been adopted by the Welsh government and will be enacted through the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill.

These include:

• the promotion of tripartite working between trade unions, government and employers at local, regional and national levels;
• the establishment of a Social Partnership Council to provide leadership for this system; and
• the reform of public procurement processes to ensure that public procurement is undertaken with consideration to social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing.

The details of the Bill are currently out for consultation and the expert panel at Tuesday evening’s event aims to assist responses to that consultation by offering policy suggestions, as well as informing campaigners from across the UK as to how mechanisms to promote workers’ voice can be practically implemented.

Speakers include:

Hannah Blythyn, MS for Delyn who has been leading on the Bill for the Welsh government and will inform delegates as to its scope and potential

Mick Antoniw, MS for Pontypridd who will speak about the Fair Work Agenda

Shavanah Taj, Wales TUC who will lead on the trade union view of the legislation

Lord John Hendy QC, co-author of the Manifesto for Labour Law and Chair of the IER, and Professor Keith Ewing, co-author of the Manifesto for Labour Law and President of the IER, who will bring their formidable expertise to bear on how the Bill can best be used to improve working conditions for all.

Carolyn Jones, Director of the IER, commented:

“The IER is proud to see the recommendations of our Manifesto for Labour Law continuing to influence the highest levels of government. Our proposals have formed the basis of the Labour Party’s employment policy since 2016 and we are delighted to see the Welsh government use its devolved powers to push ahead with this progressive agenda.

With careful legislation, Wales could become a beacon of fair work and economic democracy that leads the way for other UK nations. We look forward to discussing how to make the most out of this opportunity with a wide range of trade unionists at Tuesday’s event.”

The event will be held on the Zoom platform at 7pm on Tuesday 06 April 2021 and is free and open to all.

Register a place here: https://tinyurl.com/b66k85ze

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Contact Sarah Glenister, sarah@ier.org.uk

About the Institute of Employment Rights

The IER exists to inform the debate around trade union rights and labour law by providing information, critical analysis, and policy ideas through our network of academics, researchers and lawyers.

We were established in February 1989 as an independent organisation to act as a focal point for the spread of new ideas in the field of labour law. In 1994 the Institute became a registered charity.