The Socialist and Democratic group of MEPs (which includes UK Labour) have agreed to a “shabby compromise” supporting TTIP, leaving all the most unjust elements of the deal intact say Professor Keith Ewing and John Hendy QC The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is the secret trade deal currently being negotiated between the EU and the US. Its […]
What trade unions can do in spite of the “Gagging Act”
Mar 4th, 2015 by Keith Ewing.Many readers will recall the great controversy that was provoked by the clumsily entitled Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning etc Act 2013 at the time it was passed. It is clear its purpose was to clear the pitch for the Tories, to allow them to dominate the election with their city-fuelled war chest. Opponents – […]
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Australian “Gagging Law” thrown out by High Court
Jan 7th, 2014 by Keith Ewing.As the Transparency of Lobbying Bill – the more appropriately named Gagging Bill – continues its passage through the UK Parliament, Keith Ewing highlights how similar proposals introduced in New South Wales, Australia, have been overturned by its High Court. In an IER Briefing late last year, Keith commented on the human rights implications of the UK […]
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The future of collective bargaining
Sep 12th, 2013 by Keith Ewing.When I started work in 1978, I entered what we now call a labour market, in which 82% or more British workers had their working conditions set by a collective agreement. In a working life of 35 years (and counting) that figure of 82% has fallen to less than 28%, and continues to fall. This decline […]
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The serious threat to trade union freedom: in your parliament this week
Aug 31st, 2013 by Keith Ewing.Last week the TUC expressed serious concerns about the far – reaching consequences of the government’s Transparency of Lobbying, Non Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, due for a second reading next week. Such concern is hardly surprising, for this is a Bill that not only represents a threat to basic liberties generally, but […]
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The Collins inquiry (part 2): what role trade unions should play within Labour
Aug 21st, 2013 by Keith Ewing.The Collins review into the Labour party – trade union link has two fundamental questions to consider. The first is whether trade unions should continue the practice of collective affiliation, and if so on what terms. The other is what role trade unions and their members should play within the Labour party. Yesterday I suggested […]
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The Collins inquiry (part 1): Weighing up the options
Aug 20th, 2013 by Keith Ewing.This is part one of two on the Collins review into the Labour Party-trade union link. Ed Miliband’s plans to dilute the role of trade unions in the Labour Party are already encountering strong resistance from activists. Senior trade unionists have spoken out against the proposals and a campaign has recently been launched to Defend […]
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Zero hour contracts: some policy proposals
Aug 16th, 2013 by Keith Ewing.There has been much hand-wringing about the growing scandal of zero-hours contracts. Apparently the Office for National Statistics has greatly under-estimated the phenomenon, with revised estimates suggesting that at least a million workers are engaged on such contracts. Yet zero-hours contracts are defended on the ground that they provide flexibility for workers as well as […]
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The party, not its leader, must settle Labour’s future
Aug 8th, 2013 by Keith Ewing.So Ed Miliband is to have his Clause 4 moment. Last month’s announcement by the Labour leader of a special conference in the Spring to endorse Lord Collins’ as yet unwritten proposals to rewrite the Labour party constitution is a further provocation of the affiliated trade unions, which demands a strong response. The announcement compounds […]
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Another political attack on free speech
Jul 17th, 2013 by Keith Ewing.The Battle of Falkirk is a symptom of a bitter civil war in the Labour party. On the one side are the cavaliers, the Blairite faction led by Progress, a well-funded campaign group. On the other side are the roundheads, a trade union grounded interest, committed to return the Party to its roots. Both sides […]
