Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer denies watering down his party’s policies on areas like zero-hours contracts, parental leave and sick pay.
Sir Keir Starmer has defended Labour’s decision to rebrand their package of workers’ rights after a union said the plans had “more holes than Swiss cheese”.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite union, accused the party of watering down its policies after it rebranded “Labour’s new deal for working people” as “Labour’s plan to make work pay”.
However another union, UNISON, backed Sir Keir’s workers’ rights package.
Reports suggest it would go through a formal consultation process with businesses, potentially delaying or toning down pledges on areas like zero-hours contracts, parental leave and sick pay.
General election latest: PM laughs off washout election launch
Ms Graham said: “The again revised New Deal for Working People has more holes in it than Swiss cheese. The number of caveats and get-outs means it is in danger of becoming a bad bosses’ charter.
“Working people expect Labour to be their voice. They need to know that Labour will not back down to corporate profiteers determined to maintain the status quo of colossal profits at the expense of everyone else.
“The country desperately needs a Labour government, but the party must show it will stick to its guns on improving workers’ rights.”
Read more:
The ultimate guide to the election
Sunak jokes about wet election launch
Asked about the comments during a visit to Staffordshire, Sir Keir said: “We have come to an agreement with the unions.
“At the heart of this is something really important to me and that’s dignity and respect at work and I think everybody should be treated with dignity and respect at work.
“There’s another really important angle on this, which is the number one mission for an incoming government is to grow the economy to make sure our economy ensures living standards are improved everywhere across the country.
“I don’t think you can do that if you don’t treat your workforce properly.”
Elements of Labour’s plan include a “right to switch off”, a proposed ban on zero hours contracts and stronger employment rights from day one of a new job.
Starmer wants voting age lowered
The party has also said it wants to empower adult social care professionals and trade unions that represent them to negotiate a sector-wide agreement for pay, terms and conditions.
A Labour spokesperson said: “Labour’s new deal for working people is our plan to make work pay. It’s how we’ll boost wages, deliver secure work and support working people to thrive – delivering a genuine living wage, banning exploitative zero hours contracts, and ending fire and rehire.
“The new deal is a core part of our mission to grow Britain’s economy and raise living standards in every part of the country. Labour will make Britain work for working people.”
UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea also commented on Sir Keir’s plans.
She said: “There will be a clear choice in July. A vote for a party that understands the huge struggles employees and their families have been facing. Or one that’s persistently let working people down these past 14 years.
“Labour’s new deal best illustrates that choice. It will make work fairer and boost the economy too.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
