‘Don’t be a P&O PM’, TUC tells Truss
The TUC has told Liz Truss to respect workers’ rights and, six months after the sacking of 800 seafarers “not [to] be the P&O prime minister”.
Truss is planning to review all rights which derive from EU law, including holiday pay, safe limits on working time and equal pay for women and men, with the aim of watering them down or removing them.
The union body’s statement coincides with its release of polling which it says shows “knock out support for boosting workers’ rights”:
eight in 10 (79%) support protecting and enhancing all workers’ rights which have been retained since Brexit, rising to 81% of Conservative voters.
three in four (74%) support ending fire and rehire, rising to 77% among Conservative voters;
three in four (76%) support boosting workers’ rights in the gig economy, rising to 78% of Conservative voters;
seven in 10 (68%) support banning zero hours contracts, and 66% of Conservative voters; and
more than three in four (77%) support the introduction of “fair pay agreements” across whole sectors to introduce minimum pay and rights floors in industries, rising to 78% of Conservative voters.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The weight of public opinion is clear. British people want stronger workers’ rights. My message to Liz Truss is this – don’t touch our hard-won rights, and don’t be the P&O prime minister.”