Employment law review

Patricia Hewitt, trade and industry secretary has announced that there is to be a review of employment law later this year when a consultation paper will be issued. Sarah Veale, the TUC's legal officer told Labour Research that the TUC is pleased that there is to be a review although how wide-ranging it will be will not be known until the consultation document itself is published. The law on recognition is likely to feature. Amicus/MSF general secretary Roger Lyons is calling for improved rights of access to unions pursuing statutory recognition claims and for an end to the exclusion of companies that employ fewer than 21 workers. Speaking at a rally to mark the first anniversary of the sacking of 87 workers at Friction Dynamex in north Wales, Bill Morris general secretary of the T&G general union has called for a change to the law to protect workers from being dismissed after eight weeks of strike action.