NEWS

Brexit is hardest challenge – Manzoni

Brexit represents “the hardest thing any of us have had to deal with”, civil service chief executive John Manzoni told a Prospect seminar as he acknowledged that the service was already “doing 30% too much”.

Prospect discrimination case reaches Supreme Court

Prospect is showing its commitment to fighting discrimination at work by taking a case all the way to the Supreme Court today (14 Nov) and tomorrow (15 Nov) on behalf of Prospect member Mohammad Naeem, a chaplain for the Prison Service. Muslim chaplains are more likely to be paid at the lower end of the pay scale compared to longer-serving chaplains because they tend to have shorter service. Mohammad’s case contends this is indirect discrimination on the grounds of religion and race.

Industrial action over AWE pensions

Prospect members at the Atomic Weapons Establishment are staging two days of industrial action today (Nov 14) and tomorrow (Nov 15) in a dispute over AWE’s plan to replace the defined benefit pension scheme with a defined contribution alternative that is worse than the DC scheme currently available to staff.

Don’t axe Environment Agency’s floods role

Prospect members in the Environment Agency have rejected a proposal from the Commons environment and rural affairs select committee to strip the organisation of its role in managing flood risk. They say a shake-up of current structures would be a costly distraction from the priority of protecting lives, homes and livelihoods.

Talks at ILO on gender-based violence at work

Prospect president Denise McGuire was one of eight worker representatives chosen by the International Trades Union Congress to join talks in October towards reaching a global deal on gender-based violence and harassment at work. The International Labour Organisation discussions in Geneva included representatives of governments and employer organisations.

EDF members accept three-year pay deal

EDF members in nuclear generation have overwhelmingly accepted a three-year pay deal worth 1.4% on salaries and flowthroughs from April 2016, and increases in April 2017 and 2018 based on a retail prices index underpin with a ceiling of 3%. (member log-in required)

Prospect evidence to Commons defence committee

Prospect head of research Jonathan Green raised the growing skills crisis and called for an industrial strategy in oral evidence to the Commons defence select committee inquiry into Defence Acquistion and Procurement on November 8. You can see a transcript on the House of Commons website or read our submitted written evidence.

Heritage warning on EU referendum

EU nationals are in UK heritage roles as diverse as museum directors, Egyptologists, and front of house staff, Museums Association policy officer Alistair Brown told a Prospect seminar in October. Up to half of the British Museum’s workforce could be affected by the EU referendum decision, he warned.

Keep talking about Prospect

Final numbers showed 1,277 new members joining Prospect in October – the highest monthly figure since the union was created. General secretary Mike Clancy thanked everyone who contributed to this growth, include those involved in Union Week, and called on all to “harness the positive energy generated in October to keep growing.” Keep using our resources to win members.

 

BLOGS

Euro panel discussion at LSE

“Populists can't deal with power unless they turn authoritarian. In other words, populists are popular until elected,” Professor Lord Giddens told a gathering on the future of Europe at the London School of Economics. Parliamentary and campaigns officer Graham Stewart outlines the post-Brexit challenges identified by the panel.

EU Canada trade deal – signed, sealed but not delivered

EU countries voted to ratify the Canada-EU trade deal known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in October. But any number of hurdles could still derail it, including opposition from trade unions and others, says research officer Beverley Hall.

Victory in battle against gig economy

The abuse of workers in the growing “gig economy” was highlighted in the GMB’s successful employment tribunal case against Uber, the online cab company. Marion Scovell, head of legal, examines the ruling’s implications.

Once in a lifetime (ISA?)

No-one can object to the principle of encouraging young people to save. But pensions officer Neil Walsh questions whether 18-40 year-old homebuyers should invest in the government’s planned new Lifetime ISA, unless they are already paying into an occupational pension scheme or are self-employed.

 

ALSO NEW THIS MONTH

Prospect survey on State Pension Age

By law, the government is required to review the State Pension Age every five years. Its first review is under way, with a consultation launched by John Cridland, the government’s independent reviewer. Prospect intends to respond, and your views will help frame our submission. Please complete our short online survey by 9am, Monday 5 December.

State Pension Age

Our website has the most current information you need to know on the State Pension Age.

Equal pay video

Prospect produced a video highlighting Met Office members’ equal pay campaign for Equal Pay Day on 10 Nov.

Ugly secret of beautiful game

Half of women in football have experienced sexism at work, recent polling by the TUC and Women in Football shows. Prospect’s Sue Ferns spoke at a TUC seminar on 9 November

Living for the weekend

Britain’s young core workers are at the sharp end of labour market change, says a new TUC report on the issues they face.

 

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