Features

Pay deals settle back at 3.2% (275 words)

The latest figures from the Labour Research Department's PayLine database show the three-monthly median to June at 3.2% down from the 3.5% figure for ...

Labour Research Department three monthly pay figures (219 words)

Percentage increases on lowest basic rates (by agreements covered) ...

Other pay analysts (30 words)

Confederation of British Industry (manufacturing) (three months to April 2003) 3.0% ...

Average earnings indices (145 words)

Mar 02 (r) 132.5 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.6 4.3 ...

Latest figures for full-time weekly average earnings (31 words)

all workers £464.10 ...

Inflation forecasts (31 words)

RPI forecasts (and underlying inflation- excluding mortgage interest payments) ...

Prices (57 words)

May 02 176.2 1.1 1.8 ...

Unions make gains for working parents (192 words)

Following the introduction of new and enhanced statutory rights for working parents in April, current pay talks are being used as an opportunity to ...

Unions take action on final-salary schemes (341 words)

Workers at the Rhodia chemicals company were due to strike on 18 July in opposition to their employer's plans to close the final salary ...

Civil servants unhappy at unfair grade based performance pay (492 words)

Pay talks at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are taking place against a background of dissatisfaction with the existing performance-related pay (PRP) ...

Report finds piecemeal change in the workplace (90 words)

Predictions of a revolution in the way we work have been exaggerated, according to researchers working on the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded ...

Pay claim demands end to term-time inequality (130 words)

UNIONS representing education support staff have lodged a pay claim that seeks to end pay discrimination against tens of thousands of workers on term-time-only ...

Government closes minimum wage loophole (133 words)

With effect from 8 July 2003 the Inland Revenue has the power to issue enforcement notices against employers who have not paid the National ...

New working time rules get mixed response (334 words)

The extension of the Working Time Regulations next month to previously excluded sectors such as transport and the offshore industry, has received a mixed ...

Working time rules extended to more workers (298 words)

Under the amended regulations, the rights and entitlements of different groups of workers in the previously excluded sectors still depend on what sort of ...

Unions urge Commission to end 48-hour opt-out (362 words)

Arguments over the future of the individual opt-out from the 48-hour week are hotting up with the results of a review by the European ...

Age discrimination plans may affect retirement age (406 words)

Government proposals to ban age discrimination have prompted widespread concern over higher retirement ages. While unions have welcomed the consultation on how to abolish ...

Union branch links up with race equality council (233 words)

A group of union reps and their local race equality council (REC) is gearing up to tackle discrimination in the workplace. ...

Report finds disability bias is still widespread (263 words)

A TUC report on the experience of disabled trade unionists in the workplace shows that disabled workers continue to face discriminatory treatment, for example, ...

Union's campaigns help bolster organisation in voluntary sector (412 words)

A campaign by the T&G general union to bolster organisation in the voluntary sector has paid off at two housing associations. The union has ...

Minister highlights key role for unions in national skills strategy (362 words)

Unions will play a key role in the government's national skills strategy. This was the message from education and skills secretary Charles Clarke to ...

Italian union confederations sign key industry deals (212 words)

Three major industry pay deals have been signed by all three of the main Italian union confederations. ...

IG Metall calls off 35-hour strike in East Germany (354 words)

At the end of last month IG Metall, Germany's second largest union, abandoned its strike for a 35-hour week in the metalworking industry in ...

Government consults on European works councils (352 words)

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued a consultation paper on European works councils earlier this month (EWCs) and will use comments on ...

Discrimination case law news (515 words)

This month's discrimination law update covers a landmark ruling by the House of Lords which gives ex-employees the right not to be discriminated against. ...

Rights of former employees (262 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Action by third parties (300 words)

Case 2: The facts ...

Sexual orientation (158 words)

Case 3: The facts ...

Part-time workers (342 words)

Case 6: The facts ...

Maternity rights (195 words)

Case 8: The facts ...

Injury to feelings (197 words)

Case 4: The facts ...

Trade union activities (88 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Tribunals procedures (439 words)

This month's round-up includes key rulings on bias in the tribunals and the steps that should be taken to avoid it and on circumstances ...

Bias in the tribunals (236 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Claims out of time (276 words)

Case 2: The facts ...

Presenting claims (261 words)

Case 4: The facts ...

Adjournments (110 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Appeals (91 words)

Case 6: The facts ...

Bankruptcy (122 words)

Case 7: The facts ...

Holiday pay (265 words)

The facts ...

Defining working time (149 words)

The facts ...

Workers have no time for a lunch break (92 words)

Workers have no time for a lunch break, according to a survey commissioned by the public and commercial services union PCS. The research by ...

Safety reps' right to time off upheld (86 words)

An Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has reiterated the right of safety reps to training that is "reasonable", rather than merely to training that is ...

Unfair bosses make you sick (83 words)

Unreasonable bosses pose a significant threat to workers' health, according to new research. The study showed that unfair bosses drive up their employees' blood ...

Unions welcome mobile phone driving ban (320 words)

Driving while using a hand-held mobile phone will soon be a specific offence, road safety minister David Jamieson announced last month. ...

Safety reps urged to get involved in stress pilot (258 words)

Last month the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a pilot project that safety reps can use to help tackle stress in the workplace. ...

Threats against shop workers on the increase (89 words)

Figures released by the British Retail Consortium employers' organisation show that threats against shopworkers have increased sharply, from five per 1,000 in 2001 to ...

Inspectors halt work on one in four building sites (216 words)

HSE figures show a sharp rise in construction deaths and more employers have been exposed for breaking the law in the latest inspection blitz. ...

Farm death rate still high (137 words)

Figures released by the HSE earlier this month show that last year 38 people died in accidents on farms, including 20 self-employed, 15 employees ...

TUC urges unions to comment on the HSE's strategic plan (194 words)

The HSE is calling on "everyone involved in the world of work" to comment on its strategic health and safety plans. ...

Revised HSE guidance on VDU use (172 words)

Earlier this month the HSE published a new edition of its guidance on working with visual display units (VDUs). Workers who use VDUs can ...

Falls from height (113 words)

New research on falls from height has been published by the HSE. Falls from height - prevention and risk control effectiveness confirms that construction ...

Regulations for tanks and pressure receptacles (70 words)

New amending regulations on the construction and use of tanks and pressure receptacles used in the carriage of dangerous goods came into force in ...

Training helps union reps press employers on equal pay reviews (2838 words)

Key findings ...

London allowance of £4,000 a year is key bargaining target (1758 words)

A growing number of public sector workers are campaigning for and often resorting to industrial action to win a London weighting allowance of £4,000 ...