Workplace Report September 2003

The September issue contains a detailed review of the 2002-2003 pay round looking at the main issues of concern to negotiators and setting out the trends in pay deals across all the main industrial sectors. Included with this extended 24-page main section is an annual agreements supplement which contains brief details on over 700 pay and conditions agreements from LRD's Payline database.

Features

Pay deals edge up again to 3.4% (219 words)

The end of the payround saw the three-monthly median from the Labour Research Department Payline database of collective agreements at 3.4%, up from the ...

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 (153 words)

Apr 02 134.0 4.1 2.8 4.1 4.2 3.3 ...

Latest figures for full-time weekly average earnings (29 words)

all workers £481.00 ...

Inflation forecasts (31 words)

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

Prices (57 words)

June 02 176.2 1.0 1.5 ...

University unions offered two-year deal (284 words)

Unions in higher education are considering a common two-year pay offer. However, while public services UNISON is recommending acceptance, the AUT lecturers' union has ...

Schools bonus scheme abandoned (176 words)

The government has announced the end of a controversial scheme offering staff bonuses if their schools perform well after ministers admitted that there is ...

BBC staff get 3.6% rise as talks on new pay structure continue (420 words)

BBC staff received a 3.6% pay rise from the 1 August under an existing two-year deal agreed last year. ...

Further education colleges set to get "significant" increases (465 words)

Unions are recommending that further education (FE) college staff accept a two-year pay deal that would bring "significant pay increases" and - importantly - ...

Defined benefit schemes maintained (232 words)

The BECTU broadcasting union managed to retain a defined benefit pension scheme at Crown Castle International by negotiating the introduction of a new average ...

TUC helps draw up new guidance on teleworking (283 words)

New Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) guidance for employers and employees on teleworking has been drawn up in response to the growing trend ...

Civil servants offered homeworking option (232 words)

Employees of the government's Insolvency Service can choose flexible working arrangements, including home-working, following pressure from civil service union Prospect. A pilot scheme, launched ...

New learning centre for car parts firm (85 words)

GMB general union members at car part makers G Clancey's in Halesowen are benefiting from a new onsite learning centre. ...

Commission sets up pregnancy discrimination investigation (526 words)

The Equal Opportunities Commission has launched Britain's first ever investigation into pregnancy discrimination at work. ...

NHS makes progress on childcare provision (267 words)

The NHS is leading the way on childcare provision for employees in London, according to childcare charity Daycare Trust. ...

Seafarers' union breathes life into workplace organisation at P&O (403 words)

An organising campaign at P&O Ferries by the RMT rail and maritime union has turned the union presence there from the occasional visit by ...

Union survey finds overseas nurses face increased discrimination (292 words)

The Unison health service union has pointed to "a worrying trend" in racial harassment of Filipino nurses in the NHS. ...

German retail sector settles above inflation (307 words)

Settlements in the retail sector covering almost 2 million employees have now been reached in Germany. As Workplace Report went to press only three ...

French hourly minimum wage goes up by 5.3% (205 words)

The French national minimum wage, known as the SMIC, has been increased by 5.3%. ...

Italian insurers improve long-term sick arrangements (197 words)

The 40,000 employees in the Italian insurance industry have a new agreement which significantly improves arrangements where employees are sick for long periods. ...

Downward trend in Dutch pay settlements continues (142 words)

The latest official figures from the Netherlands show that pay increases are continuing to fall. ...

Dismissal case law (425 words)

This month key cases focus on dismissal rights during industrial action over health and safety, sickness absence and disciplinary hearings. ...

Dismissing strikers (223 words)

Case 1:The facts ...

Dismissal for capability (198 words)

Case 2: The facts ...

Right to be accompanied to a hearing (109 words)

Case 3: The facts ...

Disciplinary procedures (103 words)

Case 4: The facts ...

Constructive dismissal (287 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Compensation (112 words)

Case 7: The facts ...

Redundancy law (452 words)

This month's key cases cover definitions of redundancy and protective awards. ...

Defining redundancy (220 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

Protective awards (258 words)

Case 3: The facts ...

Failure to consult (161 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Alternative employment (166 words)

Case 6: The facts ...

Selection procedures (86 words)

Case 7: The facts ...

Disability law (242 words)

The key developments ...

General issues on disability (249 words)

Case 1: The facts ...

When disability begins (134 words)

Case 2: The facts ...

Progressive conditions (129 words)

Case 3: The facts ...

Small employer exclusion (132 words)

Case 4: The facts ...

Less favourable treatment (103 words)

Case 5: The facts ...

Walk out over heat (87 words)

Around 40 workers at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary staged a walk-out in August, arguing it was too hot inside to work. Workers said they ...

GMB wins over £4m for injured worker (89 words)

In July the High Court awarded Tracy Henworth £4.35 million compensation for injuries sustained on the way back from a work's Christmas party. Tracy, ...

Asbestos conference (56 words)

Merseyside Victims of Asbestos Support Group is organising a conference on 'Asbestos and the law', in Liverpool on 16 September 2003. Speakers will include ...

NUT safety web pages (61 words)

Teaching union NUT has revamped its website. New look health and safety pages include sections on the law, news and useful links. A number ...

MPs want action on NHS violence (253 words)

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has demanded immediate action from the Department of Health and NHS managers over the rising level of ...

Benefits of chemicals scheme outweigh costs (238 words)

The benefits of a new European chemical testing scheme will far outweigh its costs, according to a report from a leading environmental group. ...

T&G launches bus workers' charter (144 words)

The T&G general union launched a Busworkers' Charter in July. The charter calls for minimum standards on pay, working conditions and health and safety ...

How employers can help stress-sufferers back to work (145 words)

The HSE has published a new research report on stress prevention and rehabilitation, summing up current best practice and suggesting practical steps employers can ...

Shift link to breast cancer (204 words)

The possibility that shift working can increase the potential for women to contract breast cancer needs further study according to a new report published ...

Firms take more responsibility for health and safety (160 words)

More companies are reporting publicly on their health and safety performance and directing health and safety at board level, according to the Health and ...

Fewer local authority inspectors and inspections (114 words)

New Health and Safety Commission figures on inspection and enforcement action in local authority-enforced sectors make worrying reading. The figures, published in HELA Health ...

New baking industry guidance (86 words)

The HSE has produced a new practical and legal guidance for the baking industry. ...

New portals on HSE website (24 words)

The HSE website now includes the following portals: ...

Regulation works (111 words)

UK regulations arising from European Union directives have helped improve health and safety, according to a report published by the HSE. The report evaluates ...