Nov 26

UNISON gives evidence to government’s Employment Rights Bill committee

  • 26 November 2024

The government’s Employment Rights Bill will make game-changing improvements to working life through a raft of new individual and collective rights.

The bill is now at committee stage, where a panel of MPs listen to expert evidence. On Tuesday 26 November, the first day of the committee, UNISON was invited to give evidence.

Maggi Ferncombe, UNISON’s director of political strategy and transformation, gave powerful evidence that spanned a range of areas within the bill, including pay, flexible working, industrial relations  and day one rights to statutory sick pay.

Speaking about industrial relations, Ms Ferncombe said: “It’s almost like unions are the enemy when you hear certain businesses talk. Unions have a common goal with every employer where we organise, for that organisation to do well, because that means the staff and workers will do well.

“In the sectors we work in, we have a common goal with all employers, we want good quality public services, working with trade unions is the best way to achieve that and good employers know that. They know that working with us will save them time money and energy, the workforce will be more productive and have less sick days.”

Opinion: The Employment Rights Bill will balance the scales

The article UNISON gives evidence to government’s Employment Rights Bill committee first appeared on the UNISON National site.