IER places trade unions at heart of new policy proposals to be launched at Westminster event

17 June 2016

The Institute of Employment Rights (IER), an independent think tank for the labour movement, will launch a new Manifesto for Labour Law at Westminster on 28 June, which places trade unions at the heart of a proposed economic strategy for the next Labour government.

John Hendy QC and Professor Keith Ewing – Chair and President of the IER, respectively – will announce 25 policy recommendations at this free event, where they will share the platform with Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Shadow Minister for Trade Unions, Ian Lavery.

With Labour’s leadership more progressive than it has been in decades, and the Conservatives pushing ahead with their draconian Trade Union Act, now is the time for the labour movement to pull together to fight against neoliberalism and put forth a better alternative to the Tory’s race to the bottom.

Our Manifesto, which was authored by 15 leading labour lawyers and academics from some of the UK’s most prestigious universities, provides a roadmap for the creation of a fairer, more equal, and stronger economy.

Lead authors John Hendy and Keith Ewing, said: “Our recommendations are an alternative to the current arrangements in which collective bargaining is ebbing away, and workers are left to the mercy of minimal minimum standards, enforced in tribunals they are unable to access.

“We offer our proposals as a basis for discussion for a better future – a future which more effectively empowers and protects workers and their organisations, in the interests of us all.”

The Manifesto was submitted to Labour as part of the Party’s Workplace 2020 consultation, launched by Jeremy Corbyn in May, and already has the support of several trade unions. The General Secretaries of the NUT, FBU and BFAWU will be amongst others helping to launch the Manifesto at the event later this month.

Trade union members are invited to attend the launch, which will take place at Portcullis House from 18:00 until 20:00. All attendees must register in advance at our EventBrite page.