Unions respond to the King’s Speech

Unions have responded to Labour’s legislative programme to ‘Make Work Pay’ contained in the King’s Speech. Commenting on the speech, TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said:

“The employment bill will be a vital stepping stone towards making work pay and ensuring everyone has security and respect at work.

It will help create a level-playing field and ensure good employers are not undercut by the bad. Improving the quality of work is hugely popular with voters across the political spectrum and can be at the heart of Labour’s plan to raise living standards.”

The GMB’s Gary Smith said:

“After 14 years of Tory chaos, Labour’s first King’s Speech is the breath of fresh air the country has been looking for. The employment rights bill contains much that will make a big difference to the lives of working people.

GMB members will welcome proper national terms and conditions for school support staff, a fair pay agreement for social care workers and the tackling of vindictive and outdated practices used by bad bosses.”

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary said:

“Usdaw has long campaigned for a new deal for workers, after years of Tory attacks on workers’ rights. We are delighted to see our successful campaign start its legislative journey under a new Labour Government. For too long, too many workers have struggled with low pay and insecure employment. Labour’s new deal will help ensure that workers benefit from the Government’s drive for economic growth and provide security in employment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“The King’s Speech is packed full of measures which will begin transforming the UK for the better. The King’s Speech shows why Britain needs a Labour Government. The forthcoming employment rights bill is key to rebalancing the relationship between employers and workers, making work fairer. As always, the detail will be important.’

Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union general secretary Fran Heathcote said:

“After 14 years of anti-union rhetoric and attacks on workers across sectors, it is refreshing today to see a new government committed to implementing rights from day one.

We would urge Labour to liaise with unions urgently to ensure that workers across sectors are protected. Our union stands ready to work with Labour in government to ensure civil servants, outsourced workers and related bodies are protected, empowered and respected.”

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said:

“We welcome today’s announcements specifically around removing restrictions on trade unions, the New Deal for workers and the rolling out of public ownership of our railways.

“These achievements are down to pressure from the trade union movement, and we will continue to articulate what is in the best interests of railway workers and working people as a whole. We will also continue to actively engage with the government on the pay issues in our sectors which can be resolved quickly.”

Daniel Kebede, the NEU’s general secretary, said:

“We welcome Labour’s commitment to implement the new deal for working people, including not going ahead with the previous government’s anti-trade-union minimum service levels that were designed to reduce their right to strike.”