Does Labour's Employment Rights Bill Deliver on Sectoral Bargaining?

<p><strong>"This is the first realistic chance we've had to revise the industrial relations structure of this country since Mrs. Thatcher came to power in 1979." </strong></p><p><strong>- </strong><a href="ier.org.uk/blog-author/john-hendy-qc/"; rel="nofollow"><strong>Lord John Hendy KC</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p>Will the Employment Rights Bill i<a href="ier.org.uk/news/the-institute-of-employment-ri…; rel="nofollow">mprove pay and conditions</a> for British workers?</p><p>Leading labour law experts Lord John Hendy KC and Prof. Keith Ewing address the absence of sectoral collective bargaining from the Labour government’s new <a href="bills.parliament.uk/bills/3737"; rel="nofollow">Employment Rights Bill</a>.</p><p>These two industrial relations law heavyweights argue that the Bill leaves UK workers vulnerable to exploitation from companies hostile to collective agreements.</p><p><strong>"The minimum wage is the ceiling, and there's nothing above it." </strong></p><p><strong>- </strong><a href="ier.org.uk/blog-author/keith-ewing/"; rel="nofollow"><strong>Professor Keith Ewing</strong></a></p><p>They expound Britain’s historical sectoral bargaining arrangements, their evisceration under Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and the urgent need to reinstate trade union powers to negotiate effectively across entire industries.</p><p>Hosted by <a href="ier.org.uk/"; rel="nofollow">Institute of Employment Rights</a> Director, <a href="ier.org.uk/news/new-director-for-the-institute…; rel="nofollow">James Harrison</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Topics & Questions:</strong></p><p><strong>Sectoral Bargaining:</strong> Why is it crucial for improving wages and working conditions?</p><p><strong>Legislative Limitations:</strong> Does the Bill adequately address the need for sectoral bargaining?</p><p><strong>Government Responsibility:</strong> Should the government take a more active role in promoting sectoral collective bargaining?</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>00:04 Welcome</p><p>02:16 Sectoral Collective Bargaining: Why It Matters</p><p>05:19 Britain's Low Collective Coverage</p><p>06:50 Minsters Control Bargaining</p><p>08:39 Stable Labour Costs And Higher Tax Revenues</p><p>11:28 Now Or Never For Collective Bargaining</p><p>14:16 US Vs European Model</p><p>16:27 Successful Economies Use Sectoral Bargaining</p><p>19:43 Recognition Procedures: A Fatal Weakness</p><p>24:51 The Outlook for Terms And Conditions</p><p>28:49 Thank You For Joining Us</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Takeaways:</strong></p><p>Sectoral collective bargaining is essential for achieving fair wages, better working conditions, and a more equitable society.</p><p>The Employment Rights Bill misses a generational opportunity to strengthen workers' rights by failing to adequately support sectoral bargaining.</p><p>Without reform, the UK risks continued wage stagnation and deteriorating working conditions.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Credits:</strong></p><p>The IER podcast is sponsored by<a href="thompsonstradeunion.law/"; rel="nofollow"><strong> </strong>Thompsons Solicitors</a>.</p><p>For Thompsons resources and advice on Trade Union law visit thompsonstradeunion.law</p><p>This podcast is produced for IER by<a href="creativekin.co.uk/"; rel="nofollow"> Creative Kin</a>.</p><p>To find out more, visit creativekin.co.uk/ier</p><p>Recorded at Creative Kin's<a href="studio.creativekin.co.uk/near-me"; rel="nofollow"> London studios</a>.</p><p>Studio Producer and Editor:<a href="linkedin.com/in/jason-caffrey/"; rel="nofollow"> Jason Caffrey</a></p><p>Theme Music:<a href="open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1E4wGY0di7hW…; rel="nofollow"><strong> </strong>Daniel Jorgensen</a></p>