Could banning zero-hour contracts be Labour’s downfall?
The IndependentDespite the painted smiles as Labour and the trade unions declared an outbreak of peace in a joint statement last night, tensions remain between the two sides. In public, the unions declared victory after their three-hour meeting with Keir Starmer and shadow ministers confirmed Labour’s commitment to what Starmer has called the biggest “levelling-up of workers’ rights” for a generation. Labour is now committed to “full and comprehensive” consultation with business; probationary periods and seasonal work, while workers who want the flexibility of zero-hours contracts could opt-in to them. One senior Labour figure predicted: “A lot of stuff will be delayed after the election, when it will be simpler politically and decisions will be more informed.” To which union officials reply that such an act of bad faith would hardly help Starmer achieve his goal of restoring trust in politics. Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, writes in today’s Daily Mail that Labour’s “French-style employment laws” would “add red tape on to small business and allow unions to cripple larger ones” by lowering the bar for strikes.
History of this topic
Starmer faces wave of strikes as union discontent spreads over pay rise caps
The Independent
If people refuse to work they WILL lose their benefits, insists Labour as Starmer's vows to crack down on huge welfare bill is branded a 'hollow promise'
Daily Mail
Starmer warns unions he will not risk economic stability with bumper pay deals
The Independent
For Starmer’s government to be successful, Labour will have to learn to say ‘No’
The Independent
Tories hit out at Starmer over pay offers to train drivers and junior doctors
The Independent
Cut workers’ hours and make strikes easier, unions urge Starmer
The Telegraph
Unions demand ‘oven ready’ workers’ rights laws in Starmer’s first King’s Speech
The Independent
Keir Starmer faces clash with Labour's union paymasters as he 'waters down plans to ban zero hours contracts and out-of-hours emails to workers' after backlash from business
Daily Mail
Starmer's ban on zero-hours contracts will destroy jobs, bolster the union barons - and leave us ALL picking up the bill, writes ALEX BRUMMER
Daily Mail
Keir Starmer to warn businesses ‘days of low pay and cheap labour must end’
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