The plan by the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to weaken the workers’ rights bill has sparked criticism from the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Opposition party peers in the House of Lords have introduced amendments that the FBU believes could undermine Labour’s efforts to safeguard employees from oppressive employers.
The proposed legislation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, was a central component of Labour’s election campaign. It aims to eliminate exploitative zero hours contracts, prevent employers from using agency staff to replace dismissed workers, and provide bereavement leave for expectant parents who experience a pregnancy loss before 24 weeks.
However, the FBU has raised concerns that the Tories and Liberal Democrats are pushing amendments that would eliminate guaranteed working hours, remove protections against unfair dismissal, and weaken the right to strike. Members of Parliament will have the opportunity to reject these amendments when the bill returns to the Commons in September.
The process of debating and voting on amendments between the two Houses, known as “ping-pong,” will continue until a consensus is reached. FBU General Secretary Steve Wright has urged Labour leader Keir Starmer to reject all amendments, cautioning that any compromise with the Lords could have dire consequences for the Labour Party.
Wright emphasized the importance of upholding the promises made to voters regarding workers’ rights. He called for the scrapping of all proposed Tory and Lib Dem amendments, labeling them as an indirect attempt to maintain anti-trade union laws.
A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats expressed disappointment at Labour’s decision to block their proposals supporting carers and whistleblowers. The party raised concerns about potential negative impacts on workers in small businesses and family farms under Labour’s bill, criticizing the Conservative Party for failing them. They reiterated their overall support for the bill and highlighted their efforts to enhance it constructively while holding the government accountable.