Latest News
Number of workers on zero-hour contracts rises above 800,000
09 March 2016
The number of workers on a zero-hour contract for their main job has risen above 800,000, accounting for 2.5% of the workforce in 2015 compared with 2.3% in 2014, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics today.
Lords highlight positive impact of trade unions on economy
29 February 2016
In the fourth day of Committee Stage of the Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords last week, peers from Labour and the Liberal Democrat Parties highlighted the positive impact trade unions have on the economy.
UNISON to appeal its case for a judicial review of employment tribunal fees
26 February 2016
The Supreme Court has today permitted UNISON to appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal, which last year ruled that the public sector union could not put the government's employment tribunal restrictions through judicial review.
Campaign promotes equal opportunity for people beginning a career in equality and human rights
26 February 2016
The Equal Rights Trust has launched its Bob Hepple Memorial Fund, a campaign aimed at helping those at the start of their career in equality and human rights through paid internship and fellowship placements with the Trust.
Labour, Lib Dems and Tories oppose check-off ban but govt steams ahead
26 February 2016
In its fourth day at Committee Stage in the House of Lords, the Trade Union Bill was yesterday (25 February 2016) debated once again, with enormous opposition to Clause 14 - the prohibition on check-off arrangements in the public sector - being demonstrated from all benches.
Lords object to govt’s “transparency” argument around political funds and facility time
24 February 2016
Peers from across parties yesterday (23 February 2016) objected to the government’s argument that publishing details around unions’ political funds and facility time were principally proposed to encourage “transparency”, countering that new legislation put forth by the Conservatives represents a slippery slope to further restrictions on trade unions.
Facility time “delivers clear cost benefits”, study shows
23 February 2016
As the House of Lords return to debate the Trade Union Bill in its third day at Committee stage, including planned restrictions on facility time in the public sector research conducted at the University of Bradford has shown that paid time off for union reps deliver “clear cost benefits” for the public purse.
Spain: Airbus 8 Acquitted!
Jesús Gallego, International Coordinator, UGT; Gail Cartmail, UNITE AGS; Fátima Aguado Queipo, International Secretary FSC-CCOO; John Hendy, QC IER at our Breakfast Meeting
19 February 2016
In a ruling on 16th February, a Spanish court acquitted eight Airbus aerospace workers facing prison terms of eight years and three months each for having participated in a peaceful strike in 2010.
HoL debate: Trade Union Bill ‘will lengthen conflict and increase litigation’
16 February 2016
Peers from across parties have argued new legislation in the Trade Union Bill has no justification and will agitate rather than resolve conflict between employers and unions.
Govt agree to e-balloting “in principle” but no changes to Bill
12 February 2016
The House of Lords has this week debated e-balloting as part of the Committee stage of the Trade Union Bill.
WATCH: IER President gives evidence on the Trade Union Bill to HoL Select Committee
11 February 2016
President of the IER Professor Keith Ewing this morning gave evidence on the Trade Union Bill's proposals to change the way trade unions manage their political funds to a House of Lords Select Committee.
TUB: Workers’ political voices will struggle against “a cacophony of noise” from the right
11 February 2016
President of the Institute of Employment Rights Professor Keith Ewing claimed in a House of Lords Select Committee today that changes the rules governing trade unions’ political funds will lead to a weakening in the power of workers’ political voice.
