Latest news with #TUC
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Sick pay changes could benefit UK firms by up to £2bn, TUC says
Changes to sick pay to cover part of workers' salaries from the first day off could end up benefiting British businesses by as much as £2bn, according to analysis commissioned by the UK's main union body. The Trades Union Congress (TUC), which is pushing for the government to stick with its plans for workers' rights, said modelling showed businesses would gain benefits of £2.4bn thanks to productivity boosts, while facing direct costs of £425m to pay for extra sick days. Sick employees in the UK are currently entitled to statutory sick pay only from their fourth day of illness, including weekends and days on which people do not usually work. The government's employment rights bill, which is being debated in the House of Lords, proposes to abolish the wait, putting the UK in line with countries such as Germany and Sweden. Statutory sick pay, paid by employers for up to 28 weeks, is worth £118.75 a week – or £3 an hour – for people too ill to work. People paid less than £125 a week are not eligible at all, meaning as many as 1.3 million people who work do not have any entitlement. The lower limit would be abolished under the proposed changes. Business lobby groups have argued vociferously against the employment rights bill, which is closely associated with the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, and which includes measures such as protection against unfair dismissal from the first day of employment, a ban on fire-and-rehire practices, and a right to flexible working where practical. The Federation of Small Businesses has said the changes to statutory sick pay 'will make employers think twice about their hiring plans'. It is concerned that employees will be quicker to take sick leave, increasing the costs for businesses. The TUC's analysis, carried out by the consultancy WPI Economics, indicates that improved sick pay could provide benefits for businesses. It argues, citing a 2018 US study, that easier access to sick pay may, counterintuitively, lead to lower overall sickness absence, because workers would be less likely to spread infectious diseases such as colds and influenza. It also suggests that earlier sick pay could prevent sick workers from dragging down colleagues' productivity, improve overall morale and employee retention, and reduce longer absences. However, those proposed benefits have not been subject to large-scale tests in the UK. Paul Nowak, the TUC's general secretary, said: 'Nobody should be plunged into hardship when they become ill. The government's sick pay reforms will stop millions from facing a financial cliff edge if they get sick. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion 'With sick pay rights from the first day of sickness, workers will know they can take the time they need to recover without needing to rush back to work. That's good for business and the wider economy too. A healthier, happier workforce is a more productive workforce.' The UK's rate of sick pay is far below that of more generous countries such as Sweden, which mandates 80% of salary. The TUC said the UK's overall rate should also be increased.
New Statesman
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Statesman
Are Unite and Labour heading for divorce?
Photo byIn Place of Strife was the name that Barbara Castle gave to her attempt to broker peace between Labour and the trade unions. Keir Starmer's approach to industrial relations lacks such a poetic title, but the aim has been much the same. Under the Conservatives, 2022's 'summer of discontent' saw the number of days lost to strike action reach its highest level since 1989. Where there was discord, Starmer promised to bring harmony. After Labour entered office, pay disputes were settled, to echo Aneurin Bevan, by stuffing workers' mouths with gold: a 22 per cent rise for resident doctors (formerly junior doctors), a 15 per cent rise for train drivers, and an above-inflation rise of 5.5 per cent for teachers and nurses. The most radical workers' rights bill since the 1970s was introduced. While Tony Blair was accused by the former TUC head John Monks of treating the trade unions like 'embarrassing elderly relatives', Starmer embraced them as partners. Yet a year on, discontent is returning. To the indignation of Wes Streeting, resident doctors have voted for five days of strike action this month despite a cumulative pay rise of 28.9 per cent (doctors reply that their real-terms pay is still lower than in 2004-05 – even if the government's preferred inflation measure is used). When Streeting addressed the Labour Party on 14 July, he warned that the action would be a 'gift to Nigel Farage' and his 'attacks on the very existence of a publicly funded, free at the point of need, universal health service'. But this conflict is mild compared with the fusillades between Unite and Labour. It was the union's ceremonial purging of Angela Rayner that absorbed most of the attention (the former Unison shop steward, in fact, cancelled her membership several months earlier). Yet far more significant was the decision by Unite to 're-examine' its affiliation to Labour. Jack Jones, the former general secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union, once said of the relationship between Labour and the unions: 'Murder, yes; divorce, never.' But Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, is raising the spectre of divorce. Unite insiders speak of a long train of grievances: Rayner's 'shambolic' handling of the Birmingham bin strike, the winter fuel cuts (which saw the union launch a judicial review), the disability benefit cuts, the 'watering down' of the Employment Rights Bill and Ed Miliband's climate policy (Graham warned that oil and gas workers could become the 'miners of net zero'). Cabinet ministers have reacted with incredulity to Unite. This government, they argue, has delivered for union members: raising defence spending, rescuing British Steel and protecting automotive workers from the full force of Donald Trump's tariffs (one source describes the Labour-union link as 'the best deal in western Europe'). Rayner's allies contend that far from being diluted, the Employment Rights Bill has been strengthened: amendments introducing a penalty for abuse of 'fire-and-rehire' practices and barring businesses from using non-disclosure agreements to silence victims of harassment and discrimination have been tabled. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe 'Angela is a working-class woman facing down powerful interests in pushing through the Employment Rights Bill and now Sharon is doing their job for them with these vicious and pointless outbursts,' says a Labour MP with close links to the unions. At the Durham Miners' Gala – the labour movement's most hallowed gathering – Graham led a chant of 'Shame on you' over Rayner. Her speech dispelled assumptions that Unite's threat to disaffiliate from Labour is a bluff. 'If we leave, we will forge a new vehicle for our class,' declared Graham. To some ears that sounded like an endorsement of a new left party. Jeremy Corbyn, who has vowed to establish such a force, was among those on the same platform as Graham. For Labour, MPs say, losing Unite's annual £1.4m affiliation fee would be an 'annoyance'. Indeed, it would be rather more: an internal party document speaks of a 'difficult financial position' with Labour needing 'at least £4m to adequately resource the 2026 elections', the contests that some cabinet ministers say could determine Starmer's fate. But in the words of a Starmer ally, it would be 'game-changing' for Unite to throw its financial and industrial muscle behind a new left party. The absence of union backing helped thwart past upstarts such as Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party and George Galloway's Respect. Yet Unite insists that its animosity towards Starmer should not be mistaken for adoration of Corbyn. 'Sharon is not interested in personality cults,' one source says of a new left party. What of Zarah Sultana, Corbyn's putative co-leader? Unite is still less impressed by her. She was not among the 100 candidates financially supported by the union at the last election, charged with being insufficiently supportive of the 2022 Coventry bin workers' strike. Those who know Graham say that she is unconcerned with the power games that so absorbed her predecessor, Len McCluskey, rarely happier than when posing with a chessboard and calling himself 'the kingmaker'. Her animating passion is industrial struggle – she once managed to close down a toll bridge in Toronto over a dispute in London – and so it will remain. Polls show support for a new left party, but Labour is unmoved. 'We've got enough challenges in the marketplace without worrying about something that is yet to form,' said one strategist. For Starmer, a divided left will remain a beatable one. [See more: Even centrists want to vote for Reform] Related
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
TUC plans inspections of workplaces amid heatwave concern
The TUC has organised a nationwide inspection of workplaces this week to check that workers are being helped to cope with the heatwave. More than 1,000 trade union health and safety reps have signed up to take part. Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness, said the TUC. Trade union reps will check workplace temperatures, and will discuss with employers the protective steps they can take, including keeping buildings cool, shaded areas for outdoor workers and allowing flexible hours. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Everyone should be safe at work, but working in a heatwave can be dangerous – especially when your employer wants you to carry on regardless. 'That's why union reps are taking action this week to keep their workmates safe in the heat, and it's why we're calling on the government to strengthen legal protections with a maximum working temperature. 'A lot of the best safety steps are just common sense. 'For example, employers should allow flexible hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day. And indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes.'
The Independent
6 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
TUC plans inspections of workplaces amid heatwave concern
The TUC has organised a nationwide inspection of workplaces this week to check that workers are being helped to cope with the heatwave. More than 1,000 trade union health and safety reps have signed up to take part. Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness, said the TUC. Trade union reps will check workplace temperatures, and will discuss with employers the protective steps they can take, including keeping buildings cool, shaded areas for outdoor workers and allowing flexible hours. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Everyone should be safe at work, but working in a heatwave can be dangerous – especially when your employer wants you to carry on regardless. 'That's why union reps are taking action this week to keep their workmates safe in the heat, and it's why we're calling on the government to strengthen legal protections with a maximum working temperature. 'A lot of the best safety steps are just common sense. 'For example, employers should allow flexible hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day. And indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes.'
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
Heatwave relief on the way for Brits after temperatures soar hotter than Brazil
Showers are predicted for many parts of the country this week, but the mercury could rise again next weekend, with highs of 30C forecast in London and the South East Brits sweltering in the midst of the latest UK heatwave are facing some relief as the period, which saw temperatures higher than in Brazil, is coming to an end after a blistering spell of hot weather. A cooler Monday has been forecast after Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland recorded their hottest day of the year so far. Showers are predicted for many parts of the country this week. But the mercury could rise again next weekend, with highs of 30C forecast in London and the South East. The latest heatwave has prompted a nationwide inspection of workplaces organised by the TUC. More than 1,000 trade union health and safety reps have signed up to check that workers are able to cope with the heatwave. Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and - in the most extreme cases - loss of consciousness. Trade union reps will check workplace temperatures, and will discuss with employers the protective steps they can take, including keeping buildings cool, shaded areas for outdoor workers and allowing flexible hours. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: "Everyone should be safe at work. But working in a heatwave can be dangerous, especially when your employer wants you to carry on regardless. "That's why union reps are taking action this week to keep their workmates safe in the heat, and it's why we're calling on the government to strengthen legal protections with a maximum working temperature. A lot of the best safety steps are just common sense. For example, employers should allow flexible hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day. And indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes." The third heatwave of the summer hit its peak at the weekend. Temperatures hit 32.2C in Aviemore on Saturday, the hottest day ever recorded there. It was only the 7th time the temperature had been that high in Scotland since 1961. In Wales, a high of 33.1C was recorded at Cardiff's Bute Park. In Northern Ireland, it was 30C in Londonderry. It resulted in two weather-related deaths in Scotland. In Glasgow, a 15-year-old boy died in the River Kelvin. Hours earlier, a 63-year-old woman fell by a waterfall in East Dunbartonshire. The National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) asked people not to enter water to try to cool down. And they urged parents and carers to ensure children are supervised around water at all times. Phil Garrigan, NFCC chairman, said: 'We are urging people to take simple but vital safety precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones during this period of hot, dry weather. Our experience tells us that wildfires can start in an instant and escalate rapidly. That's why we're asking everyone to stay alert and act responsibly." Today, London (30C) was hotter than Barcelona (29C) Bangalore (27C) and Brasilia (24C) in Brazil. Amber heat health alerts were in place for the Midlands and the south east to 10am Monday. The alert warns of a potential rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Beachgoers enjoyed temperatures of around 31C (87.8F) in England. But the forecast was for the mercury to dip marginally to bring some relief. Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: "While we've seen the peak of the heat in this heatwave, it's still going to be very warm on Sunday before turning cooler for many of us on Monday. So we've got this ridge of high pressure extending across the UK, helping to keep things settled, but out towards the west an area of low pressure moving through Sunday night and into Monday. Temperatures will be falling away but also bring heavy spells of rain, or welcome rainfall, for many of us." Firefighters in Surrey tackled a wildfire on Hankley Common in Thursley, which spanned approximately eight hectares. Scottish fire crews tackled a wildfire in Perth near the M90 in the Craigend area, due to an "extreme" wildfire. HM Coastguard also issued safety advice for people heading to the coast, saying data shows most drownings occurred in July over the past three years. Harrow Council warned of an increase of sudden branch drop syndrome, made worse by the heat waves. A pod of dolphins performed an incredible aerial acrobatic display for delighted tourists off the UK coast. The 12 mammals leapt into the air while hunting for a fish supper in the waters around Amble, Northumberland. Pensioner Linda Johnson couldn't believe her luck when the pod came just 50m (164ft) away from the town's pier. One photo appeared to show one dolphin balancing another on its nose as they leap and dive beneath the waves. Showers are forecast across many parts of the UK by Wednesday, some of which could be heavy and thundery
