Unite reaction to the Queen’s speech
6 November 2007
The UK’s largest trade union issued the following reaction to
today’s Queen’s Speech.
Derek Simpson, Joint General Secretary of Unite, said: "Unite
welcomes the government's commitment to people's aspirations,
through extending apprenticeship schemes, rights to workplace
training and to achieving a better work life balance, but these
things are incompatible with proposals also contained in the
Queen's Speech to reduce business regulation, failure to introduce
legislation to ensure equal treatment for temporary and agency
workers and to continue the opt out from the European Working Time
Directive.
"UK business is already the least regulated in Europe and UK
workers remain the most
vulnerable."
Tony Woodley, Joint General Secretary of Unite
said: “Gordon Brown’s government have laid the foundations for
positive changes to working people’s lives and should not squander
the opportunity to take much needed radical steps to improve the
world of work.
“Tough action against employers who exploit vulnerable workers
is welcome and necessary, but further legislation is needed to
provide for equal treatment of agency workers. Extending flexible
working is a welcome recognition of the difference it makes to
family life, but it should be strengthened to be more than a right
to ask as so many workers report not being allowed to work flexibly
by their employer.
“Providing good quality safe pension schemes properly funded by
employers will mean a lasting legacy from the Brown government. The
announcements on housing and transport show a government willing to
listen, although we know that further funding will need to be made
available so that workers and their families have secure and
affordable homes.”
- Ends-
Please call Catherine Bithell or Claire Ainsley in the Unite
press office for further information on 020 7 420 8909 or 020 7611
2549
