Your employment rights and Covid-19 role of unions – Bill Adams

While restrictive measures are vital 
to save lives. by containing the spread 
of the virus, they are also already had 
a chilling effect on the UK economy, 
with tens of thousands of jobs now at 
risk.

The TUC reacted fast and worked hard to force the Government to give an 80 per cent wage subsidy to all workers, as well as win increases to the paltry Universal Credit allowance.

But despite the successful efforts of trade unions to secure from Chancellor Rishi Sunak major packages of support for working people, we’re still seeing businesses across the country laying workers off.

We’ve seen bad employers deny workers access to sick pay, or refuse to pay people with government money and keep them on the books.

We’ve even seen employers try to make staff sign away their holiday rights in exchange for the Government-funded wage subsidy.

Despite the great intentions of the wage subsidy scheme, it is clear that some bosses expect to get government support but don’t feel a duty of care towards their staff.

The TUC is clear. If businesses want a government bailout, they need to commit to keeping their staff on and paying them what they’re owed.

But if your employer isn’t being reasonable you can take action and make them listen. And trade unions are here to help.

First thing’s first, if you’re in a union, talk to your rep or union office.

If you’re not, then get a group of colleagues together, via WhatsApp or another messaging platform, and talk about what’s happening.

See if any of them feel the same as you, and if people are prepared to do something about it.

Next, together you should write to your boss to state your demands. These could be a guarantee of no lay offs, asking to be paid the 80 per cent wage subsidy, or demanding your boss pay you a 20 per cent wage top up from the Government loans they’re receiving.

You and your co-workers should join a union to make sure you’ve got protection before you take collective action.

Unions are here to watch your back and advise you on the best way forward. Google TUC join a union to find out more.

Whilst workers organise for job security, we believe the Government needs to act now to mend the holes in our social safety set.

We’re yet to be satisfied that Ministers are doing enough to support the over 
five-million self-employed workers in the UK.

Removing the three-day wait for statutory sick pay was another positive step, but it’s far from enough.

We urgently need decent #SickPayForAll – SSP equivalent to a real weekly wage available to everyone who needs it.

Otherwise, people showing symptoms of coronavirus who follow official instructions to self-isolate face being unable to pay their bills.

We also still need clarity over support for parents of children who are off school, as well as a wider economic support package that protects household finances.

This must include further increases to benefits payments, the end of the five-week wait for Universal Credit, and measures to reduce costs for households and protect renters.

Without proper economic support and urgent improvements to our social safety net, the impact of this pandemic will be felt for many years to come, especially by those already struggling.

And without better further government intervention, the dire 
state of poverty in the UK is likely to get worse.

This pandemic has exposed that fact that our social safety net is broken.

The Government must take urgent steps now to rebuild a system that offers real protection and a decent standard of living for all.

Bill Adams is the Yorkshire and the Humber regional director of the TUC.