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Usdaw condemns opposition Peers for blocking important upgrades to workers’ rights

Retail trade union Usdaw has condemned opposition Peers for taking the Employment Rights Bill into a fourth round of so-called ‘ping-pong’, which yet again holds up important new rights to make work pay. MPs had approved an amended Bill, but Peers last night amended it again causing unnecessary delay. MPs will now reconsider it next week before sending it back to the House of Lords.

11 December 2025

0 min read

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “The Conservatives are showing their true colours by blocking this important legislation to help make work pay and more secure. It was clearly a key part of Labour’s manifesto, which was widely supported by voters in last year’s landslide general election win. It ill becomes unelected Peers to go against the expressed will of the people.

“It is vital that the Bill is passed by the end of the year, so that from April millions of low-paid workers will have the right to sick pay from day one of employment and to keep the Government’s timetable for implementation on track. Everyone deserves the improved security at work this legislation will provide and it is time for the Conservatives to step aside and allow the Government deliver improved fairness at work.”

Notes for editors:

Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk

Employment Rights Bill: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737

For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky@usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion

Summary

Retail trade union Usdaw has condemned opposition Peers for taking the Employment Rights Bill into a fourth round of so-called ‘ping-pong’, which yet again holds up important new rights to make work pay. MPs had approved an amended Bill, but Peers last night amended it again causing unnecessary delay. MPs will now reconsider it next week before sending it back to the House of Lords.