Institute of Employment Rights

‘I had no hesitation in cancelling the meeting’ - Unison’s @andreaegangs.bsky.social on Mahmood migration talks. @unison.org.uk blames Home Secretary for cancelled summit after its request to bring a care worker was declined: www.ier.org.uk/news/i-had-n...

uklabourlawblog.com‘Workers do not Form Organizations to Play Cards’… The Significance of the World Court Advisory Opinion on the Right to Strike for the UK – by Tonia Novitz and Lord John Hendy KCImage by PDPics from Pixabay Introduction On 21 May 2026, the International Court of Justice (also known as the ‘ICJ’ or ‘World Court’) delivered an Advisory Opinion, which is of importance for wor…

‘Workers do not Form Organizations to Play Cards’ The significance of the World Court advisory opinion on the right to strike for the UK – by Prof Tonia Novitz and Lord John Hendy KC: uklabourlawblog.com/2026/10/14/w...

Don't miss: IER Employment Law Update Liverpool & London, Nov 2026 Liverpool: Tuesday 3rd November, 9.30am - 3.00pm, The Adelphi Hotel L3 5UL London: Wednesday 18th November, 9.30am - 3.00pm, Mander Hall, NEU HQ WC1H 9BD Details & sign up here: www.ier.org.uk/institute-ev...

Last week the Government launched a call for views on its proposed reforms to employment status. In this context, it’s worth anyone with an interest in the reforms reading our briefing on Single Employment Status, written by John Hendy KC. Download it here 👉 www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/u...

opendemocracy.netAmazon uses AI to monitor union risk in UK warehousesInternal documents suggest tech giant collects ‘hundreds of data points’ for ‘union-busting’ AI model

Amazon uses AI surveillance to monitor union risk in UK warehouses. Internal documents suggest tech giant collects ‘hundreds of data points’ for ‘union-busting’ AI model - @eviebreese.bsky.social writing for @opendemocracy.net: www.opendemocracy.net/amazon-ai-su...

📹 Andrea Egan, General Secretary of UNISON, speaking about the Employment Rights Act 2025 at our joint #TUC2026 fringe with Campaign for Trade Union Freedom: “We must be clear, it leaves a lot of anti-trade union legislation intact.” Check out more on our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@employmentr...

ier.org.ukNEU calls for new Ofsted leadership following member survey - IERFindings come after the NEU released research demonstrating that the new framework is driving excessive workload & harming wellbeing.

NEU calls for new Ofsted leadership following member survey. Findings come after the @neunion.bsky.social released research demonstrating that the new framework is driving excessive workload & harming wellbeing: www.ier.org.uk/news/neu-cal...

ier.org.ukThe Employment Rights Act 2025: consultations update - IER

The Employment Rights Act 2025: consultations update Consultations and documents from the Government's 'Make Work Pay' initiative: www.ier.org.uk/news/the-emp...

We’re delighted to say that Sarah Woolley, General Secretary of @bfawu.bsky.social, will be joining our Employment Law Updates panel in Liverpool on the 3rd of November. These update events are always popular, so make sure you secure your place now: www.ier.org.uk/events/emplo...

ier.org.ukTransport for London urged to ensure London drivers are 'not left behind' by driverless cars. - IER

Transport for London urged to ensure London drivers are ‘not left behind’ by driverless cars. @gmb.org.uk add their voice to a London Assembly report urging transport officials to hold off on introducing driverless taxis: www.ier.org.uk/news/transpo...

Bakers union vows to fight for Greggs jobs. @bfawu.bsky.social vow to “do everything within our power to fight for and protect jobs” after Greggs announced plans to axe four factories and 740 posts. www.ier.org.uk/news/bakers-...

ier.org.ukNUJ welcomes Met Police confirmation that journalists’ data is no longer retained - IER

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) welcomes Met Police confirmation that journalists’ data is no longer retained The Catt case raises important questions about surveillance, privacy, press freedom and the limits of police powers: www.ier.org.uk/news/nuj-wel...

Finishing the Job: union leaders & experts say Andy Burnham’s Government must go further to improve working lives. Read about our joint fringe with @unionfreedom.bsky.social at TUC Congress: www.ier.org.uk/news/finishi...

ier.org.ukResponse to Consultation on Workplace Monitoring Technologies - IER

IER response to Consultation on Workplace Monitoring Technologies The IER makes the case for meaningful collective voice over the use of use of monitoring & algorithmic management technologies at work. Authored by Dr Joe Atkinson & Michael Ford KC: www.ier.org.uk/publications...

ier.org.ukUnions respond to Burnham's first conference speech as Labour leader & PM - IER

Unions respond to Burnham’s first conference speech as Labour leader & PM. Trade union leaders praise radical vision, ask for concrete actions to follow: www.ier.org.uk/news/unions-...

If you’re still at #Lab2026, or travelling home this afternoon, it’s well worth reading this piece by Andy McDonald MP - written earlier this summer. The Employment Rights Act 2025 should be seen as the beginning of a wider programme, rather than the end: www.ier.org.uk/comments/the...

Steve Gillan, General Secretary of the POA, will be delivering a talk on the Right to Strike at our Employment Law Update in London on November 18. Our Employment Law Updates sell out fast so to book your place and avoid disappointment visit www.ier.org.uk/institute-events/

If you’re at #LabourConference this week & missed our Morning Star wraparound at the weekend, here it is: eight simple measures Andy Burnham’s Govt could introduce ahead of an Employment Rights Act 2: www.ier.org.uk/news/eight-s...

The UTAW @cwunews.bsky.social Tech Workers’ Inquiry outlines how generative AI is changing work across the tech sector, written with the perspectives and experiences of workers who build, deploy, manage, evaluate and use this technology. Download the report here: techworkersinquiry.org/ai/

ier.org.ukFive-day rehearsal weeks agreed with National Theatre of Scotland - IER

Five-day rehearsal weeks agreed with National Theatre of Scotland @equityuk.bsky.social has secured the first commitment to a five-day rehearsal week in Scotland for performers and stage management: www.ier.org.uk/news/five-da...

ier.org.ukTeaching unions secure fully funded teacher pay offer after long battle with Government - IER

Teaching unions secure fully funded teacher pay offer after long battle with Government. Schools in England are to get around £500million in extra funding towards the teachers’ pay award this year: www.ier.org.uk/news/teachin...

ier.org.ukResuming talks on NHS pay structure is essential to stop staff disillusion, say health unions - IER

21 Sept

Resuming talks on NHS pay structure is essential to stop staff disillusion, say health unions. Fourteen unions representing more than 1.2m health workers are urging Health Secretary Yvette Cooper to make up for lost momentum: www.ier.org.uk/news/resumin...

justfair.org.ukWork with us | Just FairWork with us Help us to build a fairer and more just society in the UK by getting involved in our work. There are many ways to work with Just Fair. Whether you’re looking to join our team, collaborat...

21 Sept

Just Fair is recruiting for a new Director. @justfairuk.bsky.social is seeking an inspiring & strategic leader to drive our mission to respect, protect & fulfil economic, social & cultural rights across the UK. Details & application pack: justfair.org.uk/work-with-us/

theguardian.comMan sacked by Grand Theft Auto maker believes employees were put on ‘watch list’UK employment tribunal examines whether Rockstar Games unlawfully fired 31 staff for trade union activity

21 Sept

Man sacked by Grand Theft Auto maker believes employees were put on ‘watch list’. Employment tribunal examines whether Rockstar Games unlawfully fired 31 staff for trade union activity. ET proceedings are expected to run until October 16th: www.theguardian.com/money/2026/s...

16 Sept

Great to see @andymcdonaldmp.bsky.social at our #TUC2026 stall yesterday. Andy played a key role in developing the employment rights policy that ended up in the 2025 Act. Here, he’s got a copy of our fact sheets booklet on the ERA. Come along this morning to pick one up. We’re at stand 31.

16 Sept

You can also find our Employment Rights Act 2025 booklet online, on our #TUC2026 hub page, here: www.ier.org.uk/ier-at-tuc-2...

morningstaronline.co.uk‘The Employment Rights Act is not job done’ – union leaders and labour law experts demand moreTHE biggest challenge facing the trade union movement is that of growth, Professor Keith Ewing warned a packed Institute of Employment Rights-Campaign for Trade Union Freedom fringe meeting during TUC...

‘The Employment Rights Act is not job done’ – union leaders and labour law experts demand more. Collective bargaining, a single status of worker and the right to take solidarity action key themes of packed IER / @unionfreedom.bsky.social fringe at #TUC2026: morningstaronline.co.uk/article/empl...

labourlist.orgUnions back motion calling for second Employment Rights Bill - LabourListTrade unions have called on the government to implement the Employment Rights Act in full and introduce further legislation to strengthen workers rights.

Unions back motion calling for a second Employment Rights Bill: unions have called on the government to implement the Employment Rights Act 2025 in full and introduce further legislation to strengthen workers rights: labourlist.org/2026/09/tuc-...

#TUC2026 is discussing composite motion C14 on the Climate Heat Emergency, incorporating motions 66 & 67, moved by the @neunion.bsky.social, seconded by @aslefunion.bsky.social & supported by the @fbunational.bsky.social Trade union members are in the frontline of the climate emergency. 1/2

You can read our report, ‘Working for Climate Justice: Trade unions in the front line against climate change’, written by Ben Crawford and David Whyte - outlining how vital it is for unions to develop a bargaining approach to climate change: www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Don’t forget to visit our #TUC2026 Hub page, with info about the Employment Rights Act, IER briefings, updated fact sheets, articles, podcasts, the dedicated IER / @unionfreedom TUC Congress handout & how to enter our competition. It’s all here in one place: www.ier.org.uk/ier-at-tuc-2...

Another busy day at #TUC2026. Keep an eye out for our coverage of conference motions & if you’re at Congress, make sure you pop along to our stall in the exhibitors area (map below). We’re located at Stand 31 & happy to talk about employment rights & show you our publications.

Now on the #TUC2026 conference floor: motion C04: Migrant rights are workers’ rights – withdraw the unsettling UK settlement proposals. In 2023, IER experts wrote a v significant report arguing that a seismic shift was needed in migrant workers’ rights: www.ier.org.uk/press-releas...

Thanks to everyone who came to our packed-out #TUC2026 fringe last night in Brighton. It was a fantastic evening, covering so many parts of the Employment Rights Act & arguments for a second Bill. Thanks to all the speakers & to @thompsons.law who sponsored the event. Solidarity.

The debate currently taking place in the conference hall at #TUC2026 on the Employment Rights Act 2025 highlights the need for a Single Worker Status, something that was central to the New Deal for Working People as originally conceived. Please read here: www.ier.org.uk/wp-content/u...

Also in this afternoon’s session we have composite C03: Support for fully self-employed workers, moved by @equityuk.bsky.social, seconded by @prospectunion.bsky.social & supported by the RCP & Community. Again, you can find our expert analysis of self-employment, here: www.ier.org.uk/employment-r...

Coming up in this afternoon’s session at #TUC2026: Composite motion C02: Strengthening & protecting hard won employment rights for all workers, moved by @nasuwt-official.bsky.social & seconded by the POA - supported by the Royal College of Podiatry, the @rmtunion.bsky.social & @equityuk.bsky.social

You can read read Prof Keith Ewing & Lord John Hendy’s article on the growing demands for a Second Employment Rights Bill on our website, here: www.ier.org.uk/comments/a-s... #TUC2026

You’ll also find a selection of factsheets on the gaps & omissions in the Employment Rights Act 2026 (and how to plug them) here: www.ier.org.uk/employment-r... #TUC2026