The fourth biennial equality audit published by the Trades Union Congress (TUC [1]) – the TUC Equality Audit 2009 [2] – analyses data on equality activities provided by over 70% of TUC-affiliated trade unions. Such activities cover 99.3% of the 6.2 million trade union members whom the TUC represents
In September 2007, the Trades Union Congress (TUC [1]) published a report (375Kb PDF) [2] outlining the results of its third biennial equality audit, which examined the action taken by its affiliated trade unions on equality issues. [1] http://www.tuc.org.uk/ [2] http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras
The final report of the Equalities Review, Fairness and freedom (1.3Mb PDF) [1], published in February 2007, is the culmination of a ‘root and branch review [2]’ commissioned by the government to investigate the causes of persistent discrimination and inequality in British society. It recommends a
On 6 September 2005, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) published the results [1] of its second biennial equality audit, carried out in 2005. This feature reviews the background to the exercise and reports on its main findings. The audit reveals how unions are measuring up to equality. [1] http://www
In February 2005, the Department of Trade and Industry published a consultation document entitled Work and families: choice and flexibility [1]. The consultation exercise stems from the Labour Party government’s pre-election commitment further to improve maternity leave and 'family-friendly' working
In September 2004, the annual conference of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) carried a resolution [1] on fairness at work calling for amendments to the Employment Relations Act 1999 [2] to extend the statutory trade union recognition procedure to smaller firms. The recognition provisions include a
Where trade unions are recognised by employers, the Employment Act 2002 [1] (UK0210103F [2]) provides a statutory right to paid time off work for appropriately trained 'union learning representatives' (ULRs) to carry out a range of duties. These include: [1] http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts
The EU Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation (Directive 2000/78/EC [1]) was adopted in November 2000 (EU0102295F [2]). The Directive seeks to lay down a general framework for combating discrimination, as regards employment and occupation, on the
This article outlines a range of initiatives being undertaken by the UK's Trades Union Congress (TUC) and its affiliated unions aimed at combating disability discrimination and promoting equal rights for workers with disabilities, in the context of 2003 being designated by the EU as the European
In March 2000, the UK’s Labour Party government launched a 'work-life balance campaign' (UK0102115F [1]) to encourage employers to introduce flexible working practices to enable employees to achieve a better balance between work and the rest of their lives, and to convince employers of the economic