Show Notes
"This is the first realistic chance we've had to revise the industrial relations structure of this country since Mrs. Thatcher came to power in 1979."
- John Hendy KC
Will the Employment Rights Bill fail to improve pay and conditions for British workers?
Leading labour law experts Lord John Hendy KC and Prof. Keith Ewing address the absence of sectoral collective bargaining from the Labour government’s new Employment Rights Bill.
These two industrial relations law heavyweights argue that the Bill leaves UK workers vulnerable to exploitation from companies hostile to collective agreements.
"The minimum wage is the ceiling, and there's nothing above it."
- Professor Keith Ewing
They expound Britain’s historical sectoral bargaining arrangements, their decline under Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the urgent need to reinstate trade union powers to negotiate effectively across entire industries.
Topics & Questions:
Sectoral Bargaining: Why is it crucial for improving wages and working conditions?
Legislative Limitations: Does the Bill adequately address the need for sectoral bargaining?
Government Responsibility: Should the government take a more active role in promoting sectoral collective bargaining?
Chapters:
00:04 Welcome
02:16 Sectoral Collective Bargaining: Why It Matters
05:19 Britain's Low Collective Coverage
06:50 Minsters Control Bargaining
08:39 Stable Labour Costs And Higher Tax Revenues
11:28 Now Or Never For Collective Bargaining
14:16 US Vs European Model
16:27 Successful Economies Use Sectoral Bargaining
19:43 Recognition Procedures: A Fatal Weakness
24:51 The Outlook for Terms And Conditions
28:49 Thank You For Joining Us
Takeaways:
Sectoral collective bargaining is essential for achieving fair wages, better working conditions, and a more equitable society.
The Employment Rights Bill misses a generational opportunity to strengthen workers' rights by failing to adequately support sectoral bargaining.
Without reform, the UK risks continued wage stagnation and deteriorating working conditions.
Credits:
The IER podcast is sponsored by Thompsons Solicitors.
For Thompsons resources and advice on Trade Union law visit thompsonstradeunion.law
This podcast is produced for IER by Creative Kin.
To find out more, visit creativekin.co.uk/ier
Recorded at Creative Kin's London studios.
Studio Producer and Editor: Jason Caffrey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-caffrey/
Theme Music: Daniel Jorgensen https://audiio.com/daniel-jorgensen
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