Pay and prices

Settlements steady, but just ahead of inflation (215 words)

The latest data from the LRD PayLine database of collective agreements show a median (midpoint) increase of 3.1% in the three months to June. ...

Labour Research Department three-monthly pay figures (216 words)

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

Other pay analysts (23 words)

Industrial Relations Services (median, three months to end June 2004) 2.9% ...

Average earnings indices (156 words)

Mar 03 (r) 110.9 3.9 5.7 3.6 3.6 5.0 ...

Full-time weekly average earnings (28 words)

All workers £498.60 ...

Inflation forecasts (31 words)

Forecasts for fourth quarter 2004: ...

Prices (59 words)

May 03 181.5 3.0 2.9 ...

Bargaining news

100,000 jobs to go, but growth is forecast (417 words)

Massive job cuts in the civil service have been announced by chancellor Gordon Brown as part of his Spending Review this month, but in ...

Top manual workers at Walkers get 4% (99 words)

In a deal backdated to February, the 200 manual workers at Walkers Snack Foods in Swansea have received a 4% pay rise on Grade ...

Tram drivers are on track for 8.75% rise (273 words)

Drivers of Croydon’s trams and Reading’s buses have reached new pay agreements negotiated by the T&G transport union. ...

Amicus calls for action to save UK manufacturing (167 words)

The manufacturing workforce isn’t just shrinking – it’s also ageing. Research by manufacturing union Amicus has found that 40% of workers in manufacturing are ...

Farm workers to receive more pay and holidays (230 words)

The T&G general union has described the pay rise announced by the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) as “a small first step out of poverty ...

Non-manual pay awards remain steady at 3% (146 words)

The Office of Manpower Economics (OME), which provides information for the government and public sector pay review bodies, has published the results of its ...

Local government pay and grading reviews are back on track (888 words)

Slow progress towards Single Status and pay and grading reviews in local government should be accelerated under the terms of a pay agreement endorsed ...

Equality news

Equal opps more likely with unions (269 words)

A study of equal opportunities policies has found that they are considerably more likely to be in place where unions are recognised – even ...

Lords spell out employers' duty to disabled workers (359 words)

In a landmark ruling, the House of Lords this month unanimously confirmed that employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for workers who ...

EFA creates "age-neutral" job application form (144 words)

In a bid to tackle age bias in recruitment, the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) has created an application form which excludes information concerning ...

CWU takes action against sexual harassment (218 words)

The CWU communication workers’ union has struck an agreement with the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) to tackle the high levels of sexual harassment reported ...

Recruitment and organisation news

T-Mobile improves its relations with unions (159 words)

Unions at T-Mobile, thwarted in a recognition bid last year by professional union busters, are seeing what they call a “major upturn in industrial ...

RMT votes for bus stop (111 words)

RMT transport union members at the Mitcham Belle bus company in south-west London took strike action in June over the company’s refusal to grant ...

Recognition agreement at Canary Wharf (108 words)

The T&G general union has gained recognition with one of the contract cleaning firms operating at London’s Canary Wharf, following an organising campaign among ...

Learning and training news

Learning Fund approves projects (418 words)

Education and skills secretary Charles Clarke has announced the approval of 46 separate projects in the 2004 round of the Union Learning Fund (ULF). ...

European news

Dutch pay freeze collapses (274 words)

The agreement reached in the Netherlands last year for no pay rises in 2004 and very limited increases in 2005 has collapsed. ...

Irish unions to decide on second stage of pay deal (331 words)

Unions, government and employees in Ireland reached agreement at national level last month on the second stage of their latest pay pact. It provides ...

Union agrees 40-hour week at Siemens plants (398 words)

IG Metall, the German metalworkers’ union, has agreed that Siemens can re-introduce a 40-hour week in two plants to safeguard jobs. Other employers are ...

Law - Discrimination

Discrimination case law news (530 words)

Discrimination developments this month focus on maternity pay, overtime requirements for part-time workers and the need to respond to discrimination allegations. ...

Proof of right to work (262 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Exclusion from right to claim (154 words)

Case 2: The facts ...

Racist abuse (182 words)

Case 3: The facts ...

Justifying difference in pay (295 words)

Case 4: The facts ...

Performance bonus (207 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Over-optimistic expectations (126 words)

Case 6: The facts ...

Transgender discrimination (155 words)

Case 7: The facts ...

Reasons for dismissal (178 words)

Case 8: The facts ...

Responding to discrimination (202 words)

Case 9: The facts ...

An “organisation of workers” (176 words)

Case 10: The facts ...

Comparable treatment of leave (213 words)

Case 12: The facts ...

Part-time workers (157 words)

Case 13: The facts ...

Law - Tribunal procedures

Employment tribunals case law news (334 words)

This month we look at cases involving bankrupts and deductions following industrial action. ...

Outstanding claims for breach of contract (197 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Effect of bankruptcy (105 words)

Case 2: The facts ...

Non-attendance at hearing (119 words)

Case 3: The facts ...

Jurisdiction and territory (108 words)

Case 4: The facts ...

Industrial action deductions (170 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Health & safety news

Union calls for smoking ban in all workplaces (382 words)

Bar, pub, club and catering staff in the T&G general union voted last month in favour of an outright ban on smoking in their ...

East London's asbestos hotspot revealed (182 words)

Residents of Barking and Dagenham are more likely to have a long-term disease than any other Londoners, a new report from the London Hazards ...

Food workers organise for health and safety (131 words)

Food workers in north London have decided that union organisation is the best way to ensure their health and safety. ...

Workers are unprepared for emergencies (86 words)

A new survey has revealed that many office workers are unprepared for workplace emergencies and don’t know basic health and safety procedures. ...

Features

Pay during maternity leave (190 words)

Case 11: The facts ...

Roving reps scheme "limited but welcome" (204 words)

Union schemes dominate the first round of projects to be financed by the new Worker Safety Adviser (WSA) Challenge Fund. Nine of the 12 ...

Keep railway safety regulation independent (196 words)

The regulation of railway safety should continue to be the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and not be transferred to the ...

TUC wants more consultation on noise (205 words)

The TUC has welcomed proposals for introducing new regulations on noise at work, while arguing that the regulations and guidance should be tightened up. ...

Construction deaths (102 words)

Building design could make a significant difference to construction fatalities, according to new research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). ...

Occupational health advice "definitely needed" (159 words)

A study commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has shown the importance of occupational health advice. ...

Pressure for higher London weighting starts to pay off (2246 words)

Research shows that workers in London should receive an extra £4,000 or more to cover their living costs. That’s still far from the reality ...

Latest developments in equal pay and pension rights (2153 words)

The fight for equal pay, and an equal entitlement to a pension, remains a vital one for many workers – even those who don’t ...