Business: The Economy Workers win more rights

Millions of workers look set to benefit from the government's long-awaited Fairness at Work Bill which will give them new rights and boost union recognition.

The legislation which took nearly two years to prepare increases the level of maternity leave and makes it easier for trade unions to earn recognition in the workplace.

Employers are worried about the cost of the new measures but unions say it is a major step forward.

The legislation which took nearly two years to prepare increases the level of maternity leave and makes it easier for trade unions to earn recognition in the workplace.

Employers are worried about the cost of the new measures but unions say it is a major step forward.

Under the bill which is expected to become law later this year, people will also be entitled to take time off work to care for a sick relative.

The details were announced by Trade Secretary Stephen Byers, although most of the bill's provisions were drafted under his predecessor, Peter Mandelson.

Mr Byers said: "This bill will promote the best of modern employment relationships in all our companies, encouraging a culture of fairness and trust at work which is so important to the competitiveness of our economy.

"It will help those millions of parents who give their all, day in and day out, at home and at work," he added.

The main proposals include:

Maternity leave will be improved - mothers and fathers will have a right to up to three months unpaid parental leave and can get time off for family emergencies.
Part-time workers will be given equal rights with other employees.
Unions will get automatic recognition if more than 50% of workers in a "bargaining unit", for example a factory, are union members.
If membership is lower a union can gain recognition if more than 40% of workers support the idea.
The cap for awards for unfair dismissal will be raised from £12,000 to £50,000.

Unions welcome advice

The General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress John Monks described the Bill as the biggest advance in employee rights for a generation.

"It gives everyone at work important new rights to family-friendly employment," he said.

"Unions are getting new rights to stick up for their members at work when they are in trouble or have a grievance. No longer will employers be able to resist the democratic right of a workforce that wants a union to represent them. The new law will provide a big boost to partnership at work."

Employers lament costs

Employers groups said the Bill was unnecessary and unwelcome.

Ruth Lea, of the Institute of Directors, said the new law would put "considerable extra costs and burdens on business".

She warned that small companies could be sunk by the government's "family friendly" measures as they could not afford to replace workers on parental leave.

Another worry for some employers is union recognition. Intense lobbying while the bill was drafted ensured that the requirements for recognition are higher than originally envisaged.

But Mrs Lea said: "The whole notion of compulsory trade union recognition is unacceptable to us."

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