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date: 20 May 2008
embargo: Immediate release
TUC on agency workers agreement
The TUC Executive today (Tuesday) agreed a proposed joint statement with the Government and the CBI on agency workers, subject to agreement by the TUC General Council, which meets later this week.
The joint statement represents a breakthrough after six years of deadlock and paves the way for a European Directive to deliver equal treatment rights for agency workers after a 12-week qualifying period.
TUC Regional Secretary Roger McKenzie said: 'Today's agreement is a victory for union campaigning. The issue of agency workers has been crying out for attention for far too long. Too many agency workers in the UK face unfair treatment and injustice. The agreement now opens the door to the much stronger legal protection that agency workers deserve, as our Commission on Vulnerable Employment so graphically highlighted.'
TUC President Dave Prentis said: 'This is good news for agency workers, particularly those in workplaces where low pay, long hours and exploitation are the norm. Not all agency workers get a bad deal at work, but those that do, deserve the full backing of the law, and this agreement brings that protection a step closer.'
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Register for the TUC's press extranet: a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet
- A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 9am-9pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.
Contacts:
Media enquiries: Roger McKenzie, T: 0121 262 6383; M: 07879 497 291;
E: rmckenzie@tuc.org.uk; Alan Weaver, T: 0121 262 6383; M: 07771 778 694;
Press release (400 words) issued 20 May 2008
