Fairer deal for agency workers

Shopworkers’ Union, Usdaw, is welcoming today’s announcement of an agreement meaning equal treatment for agency workers after a 12 week qualifying period.

The TUC Executive, the Government and the CBI agreed the proposed joint statement, which is subject to the agreement of the TUC General Council later this week.

Usdaw has been pressing the Government for equal rights for agency workers and is viewing today’s announcement as a victory for both agency staff and permanent employees.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, commented:

“Usdaw very much welcomes the Government’s commitment that agency workers will get rights to equal treatment after 12 weeks in a workplace.

“Usdaw and the rest of the trade union movement have been lobbying on this issue for some time and I’m pleased to see that the Labour Government has listened and acted on our concerns.

“This legislation will tackle employers who exploit agency workers and undercut existing pay and conditions by paying agency staff less than permanent staff.

“This is an important step forward in achieving equal treatment for agency workers.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 359,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/equality/news/1211290611_4932.html
Last Modified: Thursday, 29-May-2008 20:11:42 EST
Proudly designed and programmed by Social Change Online
Site Credits