Leaders of greater than 30 commerce unions have written to enterprise secretary Kwasi Kwarteng within the wake of the mass dismissal of 800 P&O seafarers, to demand a timetable for the introduction of laws to guard staff first promised by the federal government greater than two years in the past.
The unions, led by Trades Union Congress (TUC) normal secretary Frances O’Grady, stated that P&O Ferries was in a position to deal with its staff as “disposable” due to weaknesses within the UK employment legislation which enable fire-and-rehire ways.
They demanded the quick reinstatement of the employees, who had been advised of their quick redundancy by video message final Thursday, in addition to the pressing passage of the Employment Invoice promised by Boris Johnson in his Queen’s Speech following the December 2019 normal election.
The speech, setting out the federal government’s agenda for the approaching 12 months, stated the invoice would “shield and improve staff’ rights because the UK leaves the EU, making Britain the perfect place on this planet to work”.
However right now’s letter – seen by The Unbiased – stated that every one the federal government has in reality delivered is non-binding steerage providing “the flimsiest of defences towards any employer who is decided to deal with their staff with contempt”.
Signed by normal secretaries of maritime unions Nautilus and the RMT, in addition to Unison, Unite, GMB and lots of others, the letter says the “lengthy overdue” invoice ought to embody motion on fire-and-rehire type practices, stronger collective session rights and cures and higher safety for staff towards unfair dismissal.
The “callous, unlawful and pre-meditated” firing of P&O staff “marks a brand new low-point in UK industrial relations – and reveals as soon as once more the weak spot of our employment legislation framework in defending working individuals”, they wrote.
Along with an employment invoice to strengthen protections for staff, the unions referred to as on authorities to demand the quick reinstatement of all sacked P&O employees with no lack of pay.
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They stated it was very important for the federal government to “take all steps at once to make sure that these staff are reinstated and produce ahead emergency laws if that’s required”. And so they demanded the suspension of “any authorities help for the corporate or its father or mother, DP World” to safe this.
Ms O’Grady stated: “The prime minister promised to make Britain the perfect place to work on this planet.
“However one of the shameful moments within the current historical past of UK industrial relations has occurred on his watch.
“No extra excuses. The federal government should title a date for an employment invoice now.
“This scandal has proven the necessity for strengthened protections for staff – rogue employers have to know they’ll’t get away with treating employees like disposable labour.”
She added: “P&O has acted shamefully. The corporate should reinstate its sacked employees at once, and with no lack of pay – or face critical penalties.”
– The letter was signed by Ms O’Grady together with leaders of the unions RMT, Nautilus, Unison, Unite, GMB, Neighborhood, CWU, Aslef, NASUWT, FDA, NEU, NUJ, Accord, Prospect, EIS, Aegis, TSSA, Nationwide Group Employees Union, Fairness, BALPA, UCU, POA, HCSA, NSEAD, Royal School of Podiatry, USDAW, PCS, NUM, Society of Radiographers, Musicians Union and RCM
Kaynak: briturkish.com
