Leave TUPE alone

The government should resist calls from big business to weaken employment rights, the public service union UNISON has warned, saying that it would have a damaging effect on the UK’s workplaces — for both employers and employees.

The warning comes in the union’s response to the government’s consultation on the 2006 Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations (TUPE). The TUPE regulations protect employees’ terms and conditions when a business or service is transferred from one owner to another.

UNISON warns that rolling back the regulations would see legal costs rise and disputes increase. TUPE not only gives employers time to consider more cost-effective in-house solutions, but gives staff time to consider their options.

Assistant general secretary Bronwyn McKenna said: “Rolling back this vital transfer protection would see disputes rise and legal actions increase. This would be counterproductive, costing businesses more than the savings some are claiming could be made by watering down the rules.

“TUPE not only creates a level playing field, the regulations also provide real clarity for both worker and employer. We are urging the government not to weaken this vital protection. It could see employees stripped of their rights, with employers permitted to reduce pay, impose less favourable terms and conditions or sack staff once they’ve been transferred.”

www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=2594