New TUC leader – Wales is “leading the way” with pro-worker agenda

• TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak praises Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act as a “blueprint” for the UK
• Welsh government’s constructive approach is in “stark contrast” to UK government’s “divisive” attack on the right to strike, says Nowak
• Paul Nowak and Shadow Minister for Employment Rights Justin Madders to visit Airbus in Broughton today

The new head of the TUC Paul Nowak has today (Monday) praised Wales for “leading the way” with its pro-worker agenda.

Nowak – who will visit Airbus in Broughton this morning – said The Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act introduced by the Welsh Government is a “blueprint” for delivering fair work and tackling inequality across the country.

The Act imposes a duty on public bodies to:

• Reach consensus or compromise with unions on their strategic goals.
• Source goods, services and materials in a socially responsible way. This includes labour, so sub-contractors and outsourced staff will no longer be able to be treated as a second-class workforce.
• Provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalised groups. They must also deliver appropriate training, and ensure that employment rights, access to trade unions, and union representation are enforced and respected.

The Act has strong backing from workers in Wales with supporters outnumbering opponents by a factor of 5 to 1.

Contrast in approach

The TUC says the Welsh Government’s approach to union engagement is in “stark contrast” to that of UK Conservative government.

The Conservatives are currently driving through parliament new legislation that will restrict the right to strike.

The Strikes Bill would mean that when workers lawfully vote to strike in health, education, fire, transport, border security and nuclear decommissioning, they could be forced to attend work – and sacked if they don’t comply.

This month the ILO – the UN workers’ rights watchdog – criticised UK ministers for not consulting with ‘social partners’ over the controversial legislation.

But Mark Drakeford has committed to working with unions through Wales’ social partnership model to stop workers from being issued with ‘work notices’ – that would threaten them with redundancy if they do not cross picket lines during strikes.

The TUC estimates that 1 in 5 workers across the UK could be affected by the legislation.

The Bill has faced a barrage of criticism from employers, civil liberties organisations, the joint committee on human rights, House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, race and gender equalities groups, employment rights lawyers, politicians around the world – as well as a whole host of other organisations.

New Deal for Working People

TUC leader Paul Nowak will use his time in Wales to call for an “urgent reset” on workers’ rights.

Nowak – who will be joined on his trip by Shadow Minister for Employment Rights Justin Madders – will highlight the importance of Labour’s New Deal for Working People.

The New Deal for Working People will:

• Introduce day-one employment rights for millions of workers.
• Boost vital protections like sick pay.
• Ban exploitative practices like zero-hours contracts and fire and rehire.
• Roll-out sector-wide fair pay agreements, starting with social care.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:

“At a time when working people badly need better pay and conditions, Wales is leading the way with its pro-worker agenda.

“The Welsh government has shown how to bring employers and unions together to promote fair work, improve skills and tackle inequality.

“The social partnership model should be a blueprint for the rest of the UK.

“It is a stark contrast to the divisive approach being taken by the Conservative government who are launching a full-frontal attack on the right to strike.”

On the need to boost workers’ rights, Paul Nowak added:

“We need an urgent reset on workers’ rights. 1 in 9 workers across the UK are trapped in insecure work.

“As recent cases like P&O ferries have shown bad employers can get away with treating staff like disposable labour.

“The New Deal for Working People would be a game-changer for millions by providing all workers with a basic floor of rights and protections.

“And it would consign to history exploitative working practices like fire and rehire and zero-hours contracts that rob people of their dignity and voice at work.”