New on the Coalition Timeline
What have we learned from the Coalition Timeline so far? Find out in the IER ' s latest series of articles.
Increasing vulnerability in the workplace- Lansley ' wanted to sack whistleblower '( 24 / 06 / 13)
Pay and Benefits- Keep pay low for young people, govt says( 27 / 06 / 13)
Public Sector- Spending review deepens attack on public sector workers( 26 / 06 / 13)
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In the news this week...
ACAS codes Acas has published its new code on settlement agreements, which can be found here. The new code follows consultation with unions, employers, other organisations and individuals. Many of the suggestions of trade unions were taken on board by Acas, including writing in the code that an employee is permitted to take a union official or other companion into settlement meetings; and changes to the list of ' improper behaviour ' by employees to include ' unambiguous impropriety '.
Public sector In the week that George Osborne ' s Spending Review announced another attack on public sector workers, there has been more news on the damage the spending cuts have already done. Research by the Trades Union Council showed that over 180,000 children with a parent working in the public sector will fall into poverty by 2015.
However, trade unions have also shown their might in the fight back against the cuts, with the NUT and NASUWT taking thousands of teachers out to strike rallies in the North West this week. Meanwhile, Unison took another step toward victory in a long-running fight for equal pay for women in Dumfries and Galloway, as the Supreme Court agreed that it is fair for the union to compare the work of female nursery nurses and classroom assistant to male menial staff( such as refuse workers) in order to claim equal pay and conditions. The case will now be referred back to tribunal.