Deregulation of the labour market has benefited only bad employers. Good employers have not exploited their new legal freedoms. They know that decent standards at work help to improve performance and competitiveness. They understand that job insecurity undermines staff morale. They appreciate the need to build a successful partnership at the workplace.
New legislation is needed to bring justice and democracy to the world of work.
The lack of any rights to representation lies at the heart of the injustice and insecurity which is felt by many working people. The TUC believes that everyone should have the right to be represented as an individual when they have a problem at work. People should be able to choose who they want to represent them - for union members the choice must include representation by an official of their union. Existing statutory rights to join and be active in a union are of little use if members are unable to ask their union for help in dealings with their employer. In 1993 the Government introduced new legislation to give individuals a wider choice as to which union they could join.