New govt. legislation to be announced

I read they were planning to make it legal for agency staff to replace strikers - don't know how that will work out.

There was a chap from an agency umbrella organisation on the radio who said that his member companies wouldn't participate in such a scheme as it would be bad for business for various reasons e.g. international treaties, and the fact that agency workers are free to work anywhere and why would they want the hassle of crossing a picket line when temp jobs are easy to come by in this time of worker shortages.

This government must also be planning to remove us from international trade laws, as well as every other organisation where you have to obey collective rules.

Who will want to do trade deals with the UK knowing that we seek to change the rules for political gain.

I worked in airport catering at one time and whenever they took on agency staff they were paid loads more than us and hadn’t got a clue what they were doing. There are very few jobs where someone can just step in and do a job properly without training. And as for safety issues

They seem to be able to change the law whenever they want. I don't know how this has happened.

MayBee70

I worked in airport catering at one time and whenever they took on agency staff they were paid loads more than us and hadn’t got a clue what they were doing. There are very few jobs where someone can just step in and do a job properly without training. And as for safety issues

The NHS relies on Agency Nurses they get paid for more than the employed nurses and get to choose when they work.

I think the higher hourly rate compensates for no holiday or sick pay.

Agencies rake off a lot on top of the workers' wages, too. This would be a nice little earner for people getting the contracts to supply staff to take the jobs of strikers.

I wonder if anyone in the cabinet has friends and family in that line of work?

Agency nurses are trained nurses, the comparison with untrained agency staff does not hold up.

Agency teachers are usually trained teachers too. However, they don't receive the benefits that those on contracts do. Like nurses, they're supposed to be used in emergencies, but employers have come to rely on them. The result is that workers are underpaid and end users receive a worse service.

ElaineI

They seem to be able to change the law whenever they want. I don't know how this has happened.

They can change the law whenever they want because, thanks to 'Get Brexit done' they have a big majority in the House of Commons of MPs who will vote for any legislation they propose, whatever the consequences of that legislation might be. They are more interested in holding on to power than considering the good of the country and its citizens.

Anyone who voted for the tories voted for what is happening now. Dictatorship.

This isn't about universal human rights, which provide red lines for governments of all colours. It's about imposing the will of one government on people and removing human rights.

There is a GE in two years time, the electorate can choose where to put their X

The U.K. is not a Dictatorship.

GrannyGravy13

There is a GE in two years time, the electorate can choose where to put their X

The U.K. is not a Dictatorship.

But it could be to late to prevent this bill. An incoming government would then have to reverse it and face opposition from the "populists".

No, GrannyGravy but it does feel like one at the moment.?

We already know that boundary changes will make it easier for Conservatives to win seats.

GrannyGravy13

There is a GE in two years time, the electorate can choose where to put their X

The U.K. is not a Dictatorship.

It's at risk of becoming one.
Our electoral system is not fit for purpose. It means that we regularly end up with a government that the majority do not want, a government that can then pass laws that the majority might not want. There is nothing democratic about that!

GrannyGravy13

There is a GE in two years time, the electorate can choose where to put their X

The U.K. is not a Dictatorship.

Oh, please, GG13. Don't try that excuse.

Russia has 'general elections'. So it's not a dictatorship?

Dictatorships all over the world have elections. Which the government control.

Our government has just given itself the power to control the Electoral Commission. The supposedly independent body set up to ensure that elections are free and fair. Why do you think the government should want to control it?

Why are MPs nodding through legislation that gives ministers power to change legislation without laying it before Parliament for scrutiny and approval?

Why is this Human rights Bill making it more difficult for citizens to challenge government actions and directing the judiciary to 'give weight' to the government's stance in any challenge?

Do, please, wake up.

GrannyGravy13

There is a GE in two years time, the electorate can choose where to put their X

The U.K. is not a Dictatorship.

So they have two years to pass the legislation that will allow them to do whatever they want, then we will discover that what they wanted was to remove all the checks and balances that have been added to stop them being a dictatorship. They are already working their way steadily through them. In two years there will be no limits to their power.