Usdaw urges Peers to end their attempts to water down workers’ rights

Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Last week, the Government put up a strong defence to opposition Peers trying to undermine the common-sense measures in the Employment Rights Bill. We welcome that MPs rejected the Lords’ amendments and we urge Peers to end their opposition to this important legislation to make work 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 Tory and Lib Dem Peers to go against the expressed will of the people. Everyone deserves security at work.

“I am staggered that the Tories, Lib Dems and Reform want to allow workers to be unfairly dismissed without any recourse to an employment tribunal, which is simply unjust. Labour is rightly ending the two-year service qualification for challenging an unfair dismissal and making sure that employers have to act fairly from day one. Under the Government’s proposal, employers would still be able to dismiss a worker if it is done fairly and through a proper process. It is a sensible reform that levels the playing field, to prevent employers who treat staff with decency and respect being undercut by those who exploit workers.

“Our members in retail and distribution are hardworking people, serving their communities, and their jobs matter - yet too often, they are treated like they don't. From one week to the next, their hours can change at the whim of their employer. Working hours that are not in the employment contract, therefore not guaranteed, count for nothing when people are trying to secure a mortgage, rental agreement or loan. They can't plan their finances, their childcare or their lives. They are constantly worried about whether they will be able to pay their bills. That is no way to have to live. That’s why they need the Employment Rights Bill, which will deliver the right to a contract that guarantees the number of hours you regularly work.”