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The Employment Rights Act introduces major reforms to UK employment law, with changes being implemented in stages from December 2025 through to 2027.

Employment Rights Act

TUC calls for new rights for reps

Issue date

19 May 2006

TUC calls for new rights for reps

organised workplaces leaflet The TUC is urging the government to introduce new rights and enforce existing safety consultation laws to make best use of the lifesaving role of union safety reps. Writing in the latest issue of the union health and safety journal Hazards, TUC head of safety Hugh Robertson welcomed the new Health and Safety Executive consultation on 'Improving worker involvement - improving health and safety.' The article welcomes the 'modest and limited proposals' in the consultative document, which include a legal requirement on employers to consult safety reps on risk assessments and a duty on employers to respond to safety reps. TUC adds that while the new rights would be welcome, they 'are only part of the package. We need proper enforcement, and we need HSE to genuinely promote the principles of the trade union model of workers involvement. The TUC will also be calling for roving safety reps and the right to issue legally binding improvement notices.' The article says safety reps should do their bit too, particularly making sure their union safety organisation is up to scratch. TUC is urging union reps to attend a series of HSE roadshow meetings intended to gauge opinion on possible changes. The consultation ends on 8 September.

Consultation consultation: TUC tells the government it wants new rights for safety reps, Hazards, Number 94, April-June 2006.
Meeting dates and locations: 24 May, Cardiff, 17.30-19.30; 25 May, Cardiff, 08.30-10.30; 31 May, Edinburgh, 17.30-19.30; 1 June, Edinburgh, 08.30-10.30; 6 June, Manchester, 17.30-19.30; 7 June, Manchester, 08.30-10.30; 13 June, London, 17.30-19.30; 16 June, London, 09.30-11.30.
Improving worker involvement - Improving health and safety, Consultative Document CD207, full consultative document, summary document, print-off-and-use feedback form and online feedback form. Single printed copies of the Consultative Document and summary can be obtained from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165, Fax: 01787 313 995. Comments should be sent to arrive by 8 September 2006 to: Zoe Woodrow, Worker Involvement Programme, HSE, 5th Floor, North Wing, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS.

Hazards 'Organise!' poster . Subscribe online, email or call the Hazards subscription hotline 0114 201 4265.

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