date: 21 July 2008

embargo: 00.01hrs Wednesday 23 July 2008

TUC steps up employment status campaign with union seminar

The TUC is today (Wednesday) holding a seminar for unions on employment status and access to employment rights in the UK.

The seminar, 'Uncertain status', is chaired by NUJ General Secretary and TUC General Council member Jeremy Dear, and is for union policy and legal officers. The session will examine the TUC's organising and campaigning strategy, and work towards adopting a united union approach to the issues around employment status.

Key speakers include Oxford University academic Sandra Fredman, TUC Commission on Vulnerable Employment Senior Policy Officer Nicola Smith, National Group on Homeworking Campaigns and Policy Worker Nesta Holden, and Director of the TUC Organising Academy Liz Blackshaw.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The TUC's Commission on Vulnerable Employment reported its findings in May. We were shocked by the extent of vulnerable work and poor treatment we found - but most shocking was that much of this was perfectly legal due to the UK's complicated employment status system.

'Too many workers are falling through gaps in employment law which mean they do not enjoy the same rights at work as their colleagues, or the decent minimum standards to which this Government is committed.

'It is vital unions adopt a united approach to the issues around employment status, and keep playing our part in ending exploitation at work.'

Following the seminar, the TUC will invite unions to contribute to a report on employment status, and continue to campaign for a change in the law to remove legal loopholes that leave workers with precarious employment status open to exploitation.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- 'Uncertain status' will be held from 12-5pm at Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS. For more information about the seminar please contact Guy Benton on 020 7467 1335 or email gbenton@tuc.org.uk

- 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

- Congress 2008 will be held at the Brighton Centre, Brighton from Monday 8 September to Thursday 11 September. All applications for media passes must be received no later than noon Tuesday 2 September. Any applications received after this date will be processed in Brighton and subject to a £50 administration fee. The form for media credentials, plus information on how to book wireless internet access and a phone line at the Brighton Centre can be accessed at www.tuc.org.uk/mediacredentials

Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (500 words) issued 23 Jul 2008