By national secretary for business, community and environment Donna Rowe-Merriman
The Employment Rights Act is a welcome shift towards stronger workers’ rights. After years of insecurity and erosion of standards, it shows the tide is finally turning.
But for far too many workers, especially those delivering public services under private contracts, this does not go far enough – or fast enough.
Before taking office, the government promised the biggest wave of insourcing this country has ever seen. That promise raised real hope among workers trapped in outsourced, insecure jobs. Yet months later, many are still waiting to see delivery.
“Insourcing changed everything”
For those who have been brought back in‑house, the difference is stark. Chris Akaluka, Branch Secretary for Barts Health has first-hand experience of being insourced – and is taking that experience to government. Thousands of his colleagues have seen the benefit.
Chris said: “Being insourced changed everything. We finally had job security, proper sick pay and a voice at work. It wasn’t just better for us – it meant we could do the job properly, without cutting corners or worrying about what would happen when the contract changed again.”
That is why UNISON is backing the TUC’s campaign ‘Our work matters’, calling on Labour to honour its pledge and bring services – and the people who deliver them – back in‑house.
Over 20,000 people have signed the online record of support – which Chris and colleagues from other trade unions have handed to Cabinet Office Minister Chris Ward at a TUC Roundtable.
For outsourced workers, delay has real consequences. Many face a two‑tier workforce, doing the same jobs as directly employed colleagues but with fewer rights, weaker sick pay and less security. High turnover and short‑term contracts are often used to avoid responsibilities.
The Employment Rights Act begins to address this. Day‑one rights, improved statutory sick pay and stronger redundancy protections all matter – especially for low‑paid workers in cleaning, care, water services and facilities management. No one should be forced to choose between going to work sick or losing pay – or losing their job.
Outsourcing itself remains the problem
But without insourcing, insecurity is baked into the system. Contracts change hands, workers’ conditions erode and experience is lost. Insourcing is the only way to end the two‑tier workforce and make decent, secure work the norm.
More employment reforms are expected later this year. They must be matched with urgent action on insourcing. Warm words are not enough. Workers need delivery.
Making work pay must also mean making work fair – and that means acting now.
Legislation alone does not change workplaces. Workers and unions coming together to organise can deliver real change. These new rights will only be as strong as our ability to enforce them. That means:
- Recruiting and organising in contracted workplaces
- Negotiating to ensure employers go beyond the legal minimum
- Challenging bad practice wherever it persists.
For members working for private contractors, this is a moment of opportunity. Every gain we make in law must be defended – and built upon – in the workplace.
UNISON will be at the forefront of making sure these changes deliver – not just in principle, but in practice.
Because making work pay must also mean making work fair for everyone – wherever you work and whatever you do.
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