Opposition Peers have changed a legal requirement on an employer to offer a guaranteed-hours contract, turning it into an employee’s ‘right to request’ the arrangement. This is a key measure to end exploitative zero and short-hours contracts and provide security of income. Peers have also exempted employers from having to make a payment to a worker if a shift was cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice.
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “It is perhaps no surprise that the Tories are undermining the Government’s efforts to deliver a new deal for workers through the historic Employment Rights Bill, after their years of failure plunged many workers into a cost of living crisis. However, I am shocked that the Lib Dems have backed them up and completely ignored the need to make work pay.
“We urge the Government to defend the Bill from these unwarranted attacks by rejecting the amendments when it comes back to the House of Commons. Making work more secure was clearly a key part of Labour’s manifesto, which was overwhelmingly supported by voters in last year’s landslide general election win. It ill becomes unelected Tories and Lib Dems to go against the expressed will of the people.
“Across the UK economy, insecure work is a major issue and there is clearly a need to legislate. One in eight workers are in precarious employment and that has risen by one million since 2011. Living standards have fallen quite significantly and the impact on our members is significant. The right to a contract that reflects the number of hours normally worked is crucial and the onus should be on the employer to make the offer. Employment protections that are based on the ‘right to request’ are ineffective for many workers who come under pressure and coercion from their managers. This move by Tory and Lib Dem Peers fundamentally undermines the Government’s vital changes for those on zero and short-hours contracts.
“The late cancellation of shifts can be extremely problematic for workers; many can ill afford to see a chunk of that week’s wages disappear on the whim of an employer. Many will have made childcare arrangements that cannot easily be undone and may well still incur a cost. Providing compensation will help workers meet the costs of a late shift change and hopefully will also encourage managers to better organise their businesses. It is not unreasonable to ask for at least 48 hours’ notice of shifts.”
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 trade union 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: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion