There has been a great deal of mixed reaction to a speech by John Hutton at the Fabian Society. He has essentially said that there will be no more major employment legislation, it isn't surprising considering how red tape is wrapped around every aspect of business in the UK.
Reuters in it's press digest reports the union reaction.
Hutton was accused yesterday by trade unions of "subservience to business" over his remarks regarding the end of the government's efforts to create a new framework of workers' rights.
There is more on the union reaction from the Guardian.
The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, derided the suggestion that employment rights were now "fit for purpose".
Barber said: "John Hutton is right to point to the need for effective enforcement of workplace rights, but wrong and dangerously complacent to argue that – with the new agreement on agency workers – the regulatory framework is now fully fit for purpose.
"The TUC commission on vulnerable employment pointed to key weaknesses in the law that are ruthlessly exploited by rogue employers. The government needs to show a new determination and courage to tackle workplace injustice, and good employers have nothing to fear from this."
The GMB general secretary, Paul Kenny, accused Hutton of experiencing a "social and moral bypass".
"If working people in this country have to rely on John Hutton to protect them, then frankly the best advice is to pack your bags and leave. He is an absolute non-starter."
Ministers and unions are braced for tough negotiations as they try to thrash out a new package of pledges on workers' rights in the so-called "Warwick II" summit in July. The first Warwick agreement in July 2004 handed the unions a series of concessions ahead of the 2005 general election.
Employers reactions are reported by Reuters.
In contrast, the CBI welcomed Hutton's "encouraging speech" and added that employers would be "watching policy-makers closely to ensure their actions match their words".
Considering the Labour governments track record of giving in to their union paymasters I am sure that the unions do not really have anything to worry about, except for the Labour party coming begging for help to pay off their debts.
Fabian Society. Letters: Flirtation with Tories won’t help the
0 comments
Post a Comment