Employment Rights Bill: Commons Rejects Lords Amendments in Workers’ Rights Battle

September 21, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms

Earlier this week, the Employment Rights Bill returned to the House of Commons for MPs to review Lords amendments, in the stage known as parliamentary “ping-pong.”

Peers had previously introduced a series of non-government amendments that sought to weaken the Bill, removing core reforms such as the ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts and restrictions on the controversial practice of fire and rehire. If successful, these changes would also have undermined new protections around unfair dismissal.

Boss Fails Dismissal for Casual Online Shopping

September 20, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Unfair Dismissal

An administrator has had an unfair dismissal claim upheld after being dismissed for using work devices for online shopping during working hours. The case raises important questions about workers’ rights, proper disciplinary processes and employer surveillance.

Biggest Reforms Since the 1970s

September 13, 2025March 24, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms

The Labour Party, founded 125 years ago to defend the rights of workers, is now on the verge of delivering one of the most significant reforms to UK employment law since the 1970s.

In its 2024 election campaign, Labour pledged to reverse decades of Conservative restrictions on workers’ rights and trade union freedoms. That promise is now close to being fulfilled through the Employment Rights Bill, first launched by Angela Rayner in October. After approval by the House of Commons in March, the bill has now passed its third reading in the House of Lords following 13 hours of debate.

Although some amendments remain, the government insists the bill will deliver the most sweeping upgrade to workers’ protections in half a century.

Are Reforms Really Coming?

September 9, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Legislation, Reforms

The leader of the UK’s largest trade union has warned the government that watering down the Employment Rights Bill would be a “huge mistake” for workers.

Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison, said she is deeply concerned that the government may no longer be committed to delivering the full package of promised workers’ rights reforms. Her warning follows the departure of Angela Rayner and a major cabinet reshuffle, which saw key ministers supportive of the bill moved or replaced. Other trade unions have echoed these concerns.

The Employment Rights Bill—expected to become law in the coming weeks—represents one of the most significant changes to employment law in decades. Proposals include stronger protection from unfair dismissal, a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, and new rights for flexible working.

Amazon Workers Fight Back: The Human Cost of Union Busting in Coventry

May 9, 2025March 23, 2026 admin Unions, Bad Companies

A landmark legal case against Amazon’s union-busting tactics in the UK began this week, powered by the stories of workers like Ceferina Floresca. After suffering a heart attack while working at the Coventry warehouse, Ceferina returned to work to find a “letter of concern” from Amazon. She soon discovered the company’s concern was not for her health, but a warning about her absence during recovery.

This is the human face of the fight for workers’ rights.

Ceferina’s experience is a key reason why 878 Amazon workers in Coventry, supported by the GMB union, have launched the first British legal challenge against Amazon’s aggressive anti-union tactics. They allege the tech giant used a campaign of intimidation and dirty tricks to illegally sway a critical union recognition vote, which Amazon narrowly won by just 15 votes.