Latest News
Blacklisted workers finally see some justice
03 May 2016
Workers blacklisted by construction firms for being members of trade unions finally saw some justice on Friday (29 April 2016), as major industry players were forced to fork over £250 million in compensation.
How does TTIP leak square with government “mythbuster” on the deal?
03 May 2016
On 25 April 2016, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) released a TTIP "mythbuster" after a Freedom of Information request by Global Justice Now revealed the government's only risk assessment had warned that the risks of "investor protection" as part of the deal outweighed the benefits. However, a leak of the TTIP documents today by Greenpeace does not seem to square with the government's claims.
Commons weakens Lords concessions on Trade Union Bill
28 April 2016
The Trade Union Bill was returned to the House of Commons yesterday, where MPs voted on Conservative amendments to the Bill, which had been softened by the Lords.
Govt intends to reverse progress made in Lords on Trade Union Bill
26 April 2016
The Conservative Party has today released amendments to the Trade Union Bill that intend to reverse changes made by the Lords, including reintroducing a clause that would allow the Secretary of State to centrally control facility time in the public sector.
TTIP investor courts come with almost no benefit but a huge cost, says govt’s only risk assessment
25 April 2016
A Freedom of Information Access (FOIA) request by Global Justice Now has revealed the UK only secured one risk assessment with regards to the introduction of special investor courts as part of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and it found there was far more risk than benefit to the move.
CETA ‘would provide VIP service for investors while leaving workers out in the cold’
22 April 2016
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and European Trade Union Congress (ETUC) have released a joint statement calling for further amendments to be made to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) – a trade agreement between Canada and the EU – and have announced they will ask elected officials to reject the agreement if it is not opened for further debate.
Trade Union Bill Report Stage: how the Bill has changed
21 April 2016
Report Stage for the Trade Union Bill continued in the Lords yesterday (20 April 2016), at which the government agreed to retain check-off processes for members of public sector unions, representing a u-turn on their plans.
Today we provide a summary of other significant changes that have been made to the Trade Union Bill so far:
Check-off to stay after Lords win
20 April 2016
The check-off process of deducting trade union subscriptions from the wages of public sector members will not be scrapped in the Trade Union Bill as first proposed.
National ‘Living’ wage?
15 April 2016
The Conservative government's controversial "National living wage" came into effect on the 1st of April 2016. This changed the minimum wage from the previous £6.70, to the new rate of £7.20 an hour for workers over 25 years old. This is predicted by the Tory government to rise to £9.00 by 2020.
Scottish TUC plan to ask MSPs to pledge not to implement aspects of the Trade Union Bill
1 April 2016
Members of the Scottish Parliament will be asked to pledge not to implement aspects of the Trade Union Bill that conflict with human rights obligations
Millions strike in France against changes to labour law.
31 March 2016
Today (31st March 2016) more than one million people took part in public mobilisations and industrial action in France against proposed changes to labour laws.
Take care of care workers
31 March 2016
This week UNISON called for action from the government to ensure homecare workers receive pay for travel time.
