Category Archives: TUC – Latest

Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival 2020 goes online

26 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

The event will now be live streamed on Facebook and Youtube with attendees also able to join in with the many festival activities throughout the weekend.
The annual trade union festival normally held in Tolpuddle, Dorset will still run from Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July.

This year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival has been moved exclusively online, organisers have confirmed today.

The South West TUC is making the virtual event as similar as possible to the original, complete with debates, films, comedy, music, a kids’ area, and a virtual procession on the Sunday afternoon.

The event, held in Dorset every July to commemorate the six farm workers transported to Australia after forming a union, was cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis.

The virtual festival, held on the same days as the original (July 17, 18 and 19) will be live-streamed across various digital platforms. For exclusives and teasers in the run-up to the festival, organisers are inviting attendees to join the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival Facebook group.

Tolpuddle [is] more than simply music and politics. It’s a gathering of like-minded people and a joyous celebration of trade union solidarity.

Festival organiser and Regional Secretary of the TUC South West Nigel Costley said:

“Tolpuddle has always been more than simply music and politics. It’s a gathering of like-minded people, a joyous celebration of trade union solidarity – and that’s what we’re hoping to reflect online.

“We have a full programme of topical debates, a full programme of films and a full programme of music ranging from those who would have played this year’s event to those who we welcome back from previous festivals – all performing exclusive sets for us.

“We’ll also be covering the wreath-laying, interviewing stall-holders and encouraging families to design banners so they can join the virtual procession on Sunday afternoon.

“The whole event will be compered by familiar faces from the festival to add that special Tolpuddle touch.”

Keep an eye on the Facebook page for announcements of speakers and artists.

“We have some special surprises in store,” said Nigel Costley.

The festival is free to attend for all. Visit www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk for more information.

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TUC demands job guarantee scheme to stop long-term unemployment

26 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

Commenting on the latest figures on employment and pay, published today (Tuesday) by the Office for National Statistics, which show a fall in pay, a rise in the claimant count and a sharp fall in vacancies and hours, and PAYE data which shows continued falls in jobs and pay in April and May, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The labour market is on red alert.

“We need strong action now to stop lasting economic damage. The government must work closely with unions and business at national and industry level to get the next steps right.

“The plan for recovery has to prioritise protecting and creating jobs. Getting people back into work is the only way out of recession.

“That’s why we need a job guarantee scheme to help those who lose work, especially young workers.”

Youth unemployment

TUC analysis published on Friday suggests that, without urgent action, the UK may be on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment.

The analysis found that the ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’ sectors are at the greatest risk of job losses. Both have much higher rates of furloughed workers, lost turnover, and paused trading than other industrial sectors.

They both also have the highest proportions of young workers, making a job guarantee scheme to prevent long-term youth unemployment a crucial part of the national recovery plan.

Of 4,352,000 UK workers aged 25 and under, 890,000 work in either accommodation and food, or arts, entertainment and recreation.
It means that 20% of workers aged 25 and under work in these two sectors, compared to 6% for workers older than 25.
Workers aged 25 and under are therefore three times more likely to work in one of the two sectors where jobs are at greatest risk.

Women workers aged 25 and under face the greatest risk of all. They are six times more likely than male workers over 25 to work in the highest risk sector, accommodation and food.

In addition to lay-offs, recessions make it harder for young people seeking to enter the labour market for the first time, as employers hire less. This part explains why youth unemployment tends to be much higher than for other workers following a recession.

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Wales TUC statement on today’s employment and pay figures

26 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

It is only government intervention through the Job Retention Scheme and other measures that has prevented these figures being much, much worse.

And it is only governments – both in Westminster and in Cardiff – that have the tools to protect jobs in the coming months.

The alternative is tens of thousands consigned to the despair of unemployment, thousands of family businesses going to the wall and public services stretched to breaking point.

The support being offered to workers must be sustained for as long as it is needed. And beyond that Wales will need an ambitious economic stimulus package focused on green investment, protecting high quality jobs in our manufacturing sector, expanding employability and skills support, and investing in new business models built on fair work principles.

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Government must protect BME people from coronavirus, says TUC

26 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

Commenting on Beyond the data: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups published today (Tuesday) by Public Health England, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“This report sets out the scale of the structural racism that BME people continue to face. It should never have been withheld.

“Ministers must now act to prevent more unnecessary coronavirus deaths among BME communities.

“We need a fully funded action plan to tackle the structural racism that continues to blight BME people’s life chances and health.”

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Young workers three times more likely to be employed in sectors where jobs are most at risk – TUC analysis

14 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

UK is on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment, warns TUC
Government must introduce a job guarantee scheme to prevent the misery of long-term unemployment

New analysis published today (Friday) by the TUC shows that young workers (aged 25 and under) face the highest risk of unemployment due to the coronavirus crisis.

The analysis compares unemployment risk related to the coronavirus crisis across industrial sectors. And it looks at the age profile of workers in sectors with highest risk.

Sectors at highest risk

Workers in all sectors of the economy face unemployment risks due to the coronavirus crisis and the recession that is expected to follow.

However, two sectors are at much higher risk of losing jobs compared to others: ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’.

Our analysis uses three measures to assess risk: (1) the rate of furloughed workers, (2) the proportion of businesses that have paused or cancelled trading, and (3) the proportion of businesses with turnover falling more than 50%.

These two sectors not only rate the highest for all three measures, they are also in a league of their own, with rates far exceeding the construction sector in third place.

Sector	Workforce furloughed	Businesses pausing trading	Businesses with turnover falling more than 50%
Accommodation and food	83%	74%	62%
Arts, entertainment and recreation	73%	75%	63%
Construction industries	41%	19%	40%
Average for all industries	28%	18%	26%

NB – this table shows selected data from the analysis. For a full table covering all sectors, see the research note.

Young workers

The analysis suggests that, without urgent action, the UK may be on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment.

Of 4,352,000 UK workers aged 25 and under, 890,000 work in either accommodation and food, or arts, entertainment and recreation.
It means that 20% of workers aged 25 and under work in these two sectors, compared to 6% for workers older than 25.
Workers aged 25 and under are therefore three times more likely to work in one of the two sectors where jobs are at greatest risk.

Women workers aged 2 5 and under face the greatest risk of all. They are six times more likely than male workers over 25 to work in the highest risk sector, accommodation and food.

UK job vacancies have already fallen 25% compared to this time last year. And the sector with the biggest fall is accommodation and food (42%).

Job guarantee scheme

Research shows that prolonged unemployment when young has negative impacts on later working life. This includes a greater likelihood of further periods of unemployment and work with lower pay.

The TUC is calling for a job guarantee scheme to stop those without work becoming long-term unemployed, with early access to the scheme for young workers.

It would resemble the future jobs fund, which was part of the national recovery plan following the recession in 2008 caused by the private banking crisis. A government evaluation found that, two years after starting the programme, participants were 27% more likely to be in unsubsidised work.

Key features of the TUC’s proposed jobs guarantee scheme:

Supports additional jobs that would not otherwise be created by employers
Enables work that benefits the UK, such as helping to decarbonise the economy
Offers secure contracts of at least six months
Pays at least the real living wage
Gives training opportunities to help people move into longer-term work
Provides guaranteed access to trade union representation

Alongside the job guarantee scheme, the TUC says that government must work with businesses and unions to protect as many jobs as possible. This should include extending the job retention scheme for employers who cannot easily adapt to social distancing.

And ministers should form a national recovery council alongside unions and employers, to design and deliver a recovery plan that protects and creates decent jobs.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“We know it’s a tough road ahead. But the more people there are in work, the faster we can work our way out of recession.

“Our national recovery plan must be centred on jobs – both protecting those we have and creating more. We need more good jobs in social care, in the green tech that our future depends on, in UK start-ups and in a revitalised manufacturing sector.

“Some industries may need help for longer through the job retention scheme so they can retain staff while they adapt to new safety standards.

“And for those who lose their jobs, the government must set up a job guarantee scheme. Young people in particular can’t be left to the misery of long-term unemployment. And it’s the best value option for the treasury.

“Making sure everyone has a decent job on a fair wage is how to recover faster and build back better.”

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GDP: Protect and create jobs for a faster recovery, says TUC

14 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

Commenting on today’s monthly GDP figures, which show UK GDP plummeting 20.4% in April due to the impacts of the lockdown, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“If we act now, we can stop deep damage becoming lasting damage. The government must work closely with unions and business to get the next steps right.

“The national recovery plan must prioritise protecting and creating jobs. The more people in work, the faster we will work our way out of recession.

“The government should set up a national recovery council with unions and business to plan how we can build back better. We need targeted support for hard hit sectors of the economy, and a jobs guarantee to help those who do lose work.”

TUC research published this morning (see notes below) finds that two sectors of the economy are at much great risk of shedding jobs than other sectors – ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’.

Both have much higher rates of furloughed workers, lost turnover, and paused trading than other industrial sectors.

They both also have the highest proportions of young workers, making a job guarantee scheme to prevent long-term youth unemployment a crucial part of the national recovery plan.

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Young workers in North West are four times more likely to work in sectors where jobs are most at risk

14 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

• The North West is on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment, warns TUC

• Government must introduce a job guarantee scheme to prevent the misery of long-term unemployment

New analysis published today (Friday) by the TUC shows that young workers (aged 25 and under) in the North West face the highest risk of unemployment due to the coronavirus crisis.

Sectors at highest risk (UK figures)

Workers in all sectors of the economy face employment risks due to the coronavirus crisis and the recession that is expected to follow.

However, two sectors are at much higher risk of losing jobs compared to others: ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’.

These two sectors not only rate the highest for all three measures, they are also in a league of their own, with rates far exceeding the construction sector in third place.

Sector	Workforce furloughed	Businesses pausing trading	Businesses with turnover falling more than 50%
Accommodation and food	83%	74%	62%
Arts, entertainment and recreation	73%	75%	63%
Construction industries	41%	19%	40%
Average for all industries	28%	18%	26%

NB – this table shows selected data from the analysis. For a full table covering all sectors, see the research note.

Young workers in the North West

The analysis suggests that, without urgent action, the North West may be on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment.

Of 508,000 UK workers aged 25 and under in the North West, 108,000 work in accommodation and food, or arts, entertainment and recreation.
It means that 21% of North West workers aged 25 and under work in these two sectors, compared to 5% for workers older than 25.
North West workers aged 25 and under are therefore four times more likely to work in one of the two sectors where jobs are at greatest risk.

In addition to lay offs, recessions make it much harder for young people seeking to enter the labour market for the first time, as employers are doing much less hiring. This is part of the reason why youth unemployment following a recession tends to be much higher than for other workers.

UK job vacancies have already fallen 25% compared to this time last year. And the sector with the biggest fall is accommodation and food (42%).

Job guarantee scheme

The TUC is calling for a job guarantee scheme to stop those without work becoming long-term unemployed, with early access to the scheme for young workers.

It would resemble the future jobs fund, which was part of the national recovery plan following the recession in 2008 caused by the private banking crisis. A government evaluation found that two years after starting the programme, participants were 27% more likely to be in unsubsidised work.

Key features of the TUC’s proposed jobs guarantee scheme:

Supports additional jobs that would not otherwise be created by employers
Enables work that benefits the UK, such as helping to decarbonise the economy
Offers secure contracts of at least six months
Pays at least the real Living Wage
Gives training opportunities to help people move into longer-term work
Provides guaranteed access to trade union representation

And ministers should form a national recovery council alongside unions and employers, to design and deliver a recovery plan that protects and creates decent jobs.

TUC Regional Secretary James McKenna said:

“We know it’s a tough road ahead. But the more people in work, the faster we can work our way out of recession.

“Our regional recovery plan must be centred on jobs – both protecting those we have and creating more. We need more good jobs in social care, in the green tech that our future depends on, in UK start-ups and in a revitalised manufacturing sector.

“For those who lose their jobs, the government must set up a job guarantee scheme. Young people in particular can’t be left to the misery of long-term unemployment. And it’s the best value option for the Treasury.

“If we make sure everyone has a decent job on a fair wage, we can recover faster and build back better.”

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South West on the brink of mass youth unemployment, warns TUC

14 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

• Young workers in South West are four times more likely to work in sectors where jobs are most at risk
• Government must introduce a job guarantee scheme to prevent the misery of long-term unemployment

New analysis published today (Friday) by the TUC shows that young workers (aged 25 and under) in the South West face the highest risk of unemployment due to the coronavirus crisis.

This is because there are more young people working in sectors disproportionately affected by the coronavirus.

The TUC are calling for a job guarantee scheme that brings more good jobs into the region and avoids the misery of long-term unemployment.

With 83,000 young workers currently at high risk, the South West TUC says this scheme is a “no-brainer.”

Sectors at highest risk

According to the new analysis, the two sectors most affected by far are ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’ – with figures far exceeding the next most affected sector (construction).

All these sectors employ large numbers of younger workers who now face long-term unemployment due to the coronavirus crisis and the recession that is expected to follow.

Both sectors contribute considerably to the income of the region. The South West TUC has expressed particular concern for rural towns and communities, whose tourism and cultural industries are key to the success of the region, and have been badly affected.

	Measures of risk
Sector	Workforce furloughed	Businesses pausing trading	Businesses with turnover falling more than 50%
Accommodation and food	83%	74%	62%
Arts, entertainment and recreation	73%	75%	63%
Construction industries	41%	19%	40%
Average for all industries	28%	18%	26%

NB – this table shows selected UK data from the analysis. For a full table covering all sectors, see research note.

Young workers in the South West

The analysis suggests that, without urgent action, the South West may be on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment.

A quarter (23%) of all workers aged 25 and under in the South West work in accommodation and food, or arts, entertainment and recreation – compared to 6% for workers older than 25.
That equates to 83,000 young workers in the region working in the two most affected sectors alone.
South West workers aged 25 and under are therefore four times more likely to work in one of the two sectors where jobs are at greatest risk.

Businesses are currently in survival mode; the government must get ahead of the coronavirus impact before it’s too late.

Job guarantee scheme

The TUC is calling for a job guarantee scheme to stop those without work becoming long-term unemployed, with early access to the scheme for young workers.

It would resemble the future jobs fund, which was part of the national recovery plan following the recession in 2008 that helped boost jobs and reduce rising unemployment.

Key features of the TUC’s proposed jobs guarantee scheme:

Supports additional jobs that would not otherwise be created by employers
Enables work that benefits the South West, such as helping to decarbonise the economy
Offers secure contracts of at least six months
Pays at least the real Living Wage
Gives training opportunities to help people move into longer-term work
Provides guaranteed access to trade union representation

And ministers should form a regional recovery council alongside unions and employers, to design and deliver a recovery plan that protects and creates decent jobs.

Regional Secretary for the TUC South West Nigel Costley said:

“We know it’s a tough road ahead. But the more people in work, the faster we can work our way out of recession.

“Our regional recovery plan must be centred on good jobs – both protecting those we have and creating more. We need more jobs in social care, in green tech that our future depends on, in UK start-ups and more jobs in a revitalised manufacturing sector.

“Businesses are currently in survival mode; the government must get ahead of the coronavirus impact before it’s too late. We can’t let our young people be left to the misery of long-term unemployment.

“A job guarantee scheme is a no-brainer. It will help thousands of people who end up losing their job because of the coronavirus.

“If we make sure everyone has a decent job on a fair wage, we can recover faster and build back better.”

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Wales is on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment, warns Wales TUC

14 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

Young workers in Wales three times more likely to be employed in sectors where jobs are most at risk. Expansion of employment support schemes vital to tackle the threat of long-term unemployment.

New analysis published today by the Wales TUC shows that young workers (aged 25 and under) face the highest risk of unemployment due to the coronavirus crisis.

The analysis compares Covid-19-related unemployment risk across industrial sectors and looks at the age profile of workers in those sectors.

All workers are facing heightened unemployment risk, but the highest risk sectors are ‘accommodation and food’ and ‘arts, entertainment and recreation’.

Young workers

The analysis suggests that, without urgent action, Wales may be on the brink of a surge in youth unemployment.

Of 195,000 workers in Wales aged 25 and under, 41,000 work in either accommodation and food, or arts, entertainment and recreation.
It means that 21% of workers aged 25 and under work in these two sectors, compared to 6% for workers older than 25.
Workers aged 25 and under are therefore three times more likely to work in one of the two sectors where jobs are at greatest risk.

In addition to lay-offs, recessions make it harder for young people seeking to enter the labour market for the first time, as employers hire less. This in part explains why youth unemployment tends to be much higher than for other workers following a recession.

Job vacancies across the UK have already fallen 25% compared to this time last year. And the sector with the biggest fall is accommodation and food (42%).

Call for government action

Governments – both in Wales and at a UK-level – must work with businesses and unions to protect as many jobs as possible. This should include extending the Job Retention Scheme for employers who cannot easily adapt to social distancing.

The Wales TUC is also calling on the Welsh Government to invest further in employment support programmes and expand schemes that support young workers such as Jobs Growth Wales.

Wales TUC Acting General Secretary Shavanah Taj said:

“We know it’s a tough road ahead. But the more people there are in work, the faster we can work our way out of recession.

“Our national recovery plan must be centred on good quality jobs, that are inclusive, equitable and reflective of the diverse working population of Wales – both protecting those we have and creating more.  We need more good jobs in social care, in the green tech that our future depends on, and in a revitalised manufacturing sector, across the whole supply chain.

“Some industries may need help for longer through the job retention scheme so they can retain staff while they adapt to new safety standards.

“And for those who lose their jobs, we want to see more support. Young people in particular can’t be left to the misery of long-term unemployment. Schemes like Jobs Growth Wales have a proven track record of success and its vital that we ensure that help is there for those that need it.

“Making sure everyone has a decent job on a fair wage is how to recover faster and build back better.”

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Employers are breaking the law and forcing pregnant women out of work during the pandemic, warns TUC

11 June 2020 Steve Leave a comment

A quarter of pregnant women have faced discrimination at work during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a new TUC survey published today (Wednesday).

New TUC poll reveals 1 in 4 pregnant women have been treated unfairly at work during the coronavirus outbreak
Low-paid pregnant women are most likely to have lost pay or work since the crisis began
Health of pregnant women at risk as 2 in 5 haven’t had a workplace safety assessment

A quarter of pregnant women have faced discrimination at work during the coronavirus outbreak, according to a new TUC survey published today (Wednesday).

A new poll of more than 3,400 women who have been pregnant or on maternity leave during the Covid-19 pandemic found that one in four (25%) had experienced unfair treatment at work, including being singled out for redundancy or furlough.

Of those surveyed, low-paid pregnant women (earning less than £23,000 a year) were much more likely (28%) than women on higher salaries (17%) to have been forced to lose pay and stop work.

Pregnant women told the TUC they were required to take sick leave when they were not sick, to take unpaid leave, to start their maternity leave early or to leave the workplace, because their employer did not act to make their workplace safe for them.

All of these actions are illegal, says the TUC. Pregnant women have the right to be suspended on full pay if workplace risks to their health cannot be removed or reduced, or suitable alternative work is not available.

Health and safety at work

The TUC poll also exposed a range of health and safety concerns for women who have been pregnant during the coronavirus outbreak:

One in four (25%) of those surveyed told the TUC they felt unsafe at work
Two in five (42%) responding to the poll said they had not had a workplace health and safety risk assessment
Of those who had a risk assessment, almost half (46%) said their employer did not take the necessary action to reduce the risks identified – which is against the law – and a quarter (25%) said the risk assessment did not include the additional risks posed by Covid-19

Government must act now

The TUC is calling on the government to take action now and:

Change the law to protect new and expectant mums’ health and safety: Employers are already required to undertake a Covid-19 risk assessment, which should take account of additional risks to anyone who is pregnant or a new mum. The government should now change the law to require employers to undertake individual written risk assessments when they are informed that a woman who works for them is pregnant, has given birth in the past six months or is breastfeeding. Assessment of risk should involve discussions with the woman involved, and if any risk is identified then it must be removed
Enforce the law: The government should make it clear to employers that if the risks facing a pregnant worker cannot be removed, and there is no alternative work available, pregnant women have the right to be suspended from work on full pay. The Health and Safety Executive should enforce the law through spot checks and should encourage pregnant women to raise concerns with them (anonymously if necessary). Employers who break the law should be subject to the full range of penalties including fines

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Work should be safe for pregnant women and new mums. But our research has uncovered shocking levels of pregnancy and maternity discrimination during the coronavirus outbreak.

“Employers are routinely flouting health and safety law. This puts women’s lives – and the health of their unborn babies – at risk.

“Ministers must require every employer to do an individual risk assessment for every pregnant woman and new mum. If it’s not safe for women to keep working, employers must suspend them on full pay. Employers must stop illegally selecting pregnant women and new mums for redundancy. And bosses who break the law should be fined.”

Sarah (not her real name), who is expecting her baby soon, told the TUC: “I felt the environment was unsafe for my unborn child. I initially approached my line manager who told me “a senior manager” had completed a risk assessment for me and I was fine to continue working. This senior manager knew nothing about my medical history or the history of my pregnancy – including it already being high risk.

“I involved my obstetrician and occupational health to have a full and proper risk assessment completed, tailored to myself (as should be for all pregnant workers) and eventually after around 10 days of fighting I was allowed to remain off work.”