Worker’s Rights: Trade Union Reforms and Family-Friendly Rights Under Labour’s New Deal
- Employment Law
- 19th Jul 2024
Changes to Trade Union Activity Labour aims to simplify the trade union recognition process and increase trade union access to workplaces. Access to trade unions is set to be improved by repealing the law on minimum service levels in relation to industrial action and introducing a right for workers and union members to access a […]
By Amy Jefferson
MLP Law
Changes to Trade Union Activity
Labour aims to simplify the trade union recognition process and increase trade union access to workplaces.
Access to trade unions is set to be improved by repealing the law on minimum service levels in relation to industrial action and introducing a right for workers and union members to access a union within the workplace.
- Expected Benefits: increased union membership may mean stronger collective bargaining.
- Potential Challenges: resistance from employers ensuring balanced negotiations.
Implementation
There will need to be clear procedures for trade union recognition and the legal protections for trade unions.
Family Friendly Rights
A day 1 entitlement to take parental leave.
Under current parental leave rules, the parent of a child can take a total of 18 weeks of unpaid leave up to the child’s 18th birthday, with a maximum of four weeks’ leave per year per child. Currently, employees can only take the right to parental leave where they have been continuously employed for at least one year, but Labour intends to make this a day one entitlement.
Bereavement leave
Labour plans to introduce a bereavement leave entitlement for all workers. Currently, a framework exists for parents to take bereavement leave following the death of a child, although it’s only available to employees.
It’s not clear how wide the right would be under Labour’s proposals (eg the types of relationships to which it would apply) or whether it will be a paid right.
Carers leave
Labour plans to review the implementation of carers leave and explore the possibility of making it a right for carers to take paid time off, although it has stopped short of making a commitment to paid time off.
Implementing a Genuine Living Wage
Labour proposes implementing a ‘genuine living wage’ based on the cost of living rather than national earnings, aiming to reduce in-work poverty.
- Expected Benefits: increased financial security for workers, reduced in-work poverty and reliance on social benefits.
- Potential Challenges: increased wage bills for employers, particularly small businesses.
Implementation
There may be phased wage increases to allow businesses time to adjust.
About the expert
Amy Jefferson
Paralegal - Employment Law
Following the completion of her undergraduate degree in Law, Amy started her legal career at a trade union law firm based in Sheffield in September 2022.
Amy’s interest in legal practice began following a series of trips to the Manchester Crown Court public gallery with her Grandad. What started as a few day trips sparked a real interest in legal practice and a few years later she undertook work experience with a high street firm in Bramhall specialising in employment law.
This area was further explored during university by studying an elective module in employment law and completing a part time work placement in employment law alongside studies in her final year. After university, looking to explore her options she began working in personal injury. However, quickly missing the pace and range of employment law, she returned to the area and has found the work to be meaningful and rewarding.
In her spare time, Amy likes to attend live music events and go for walks in the Peak District.
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