Latest editorial
A TRADE union representative sacked by furniture giant Ikea this summer following his concerns over unsafe working practices has won a settlement from the multibillion-pound business.
Richie Venton, a long-term campaigner and trade unionist, was forced out after warning fellow staff of planned changes to workers’ rights, which would have seen many relying on statutory sick pay if they have coronavirus or have to self-isolate.
The proposed changes were rolled back and, following talks with shopworkers’ union Usdaw and Mr Venton, it has been confirmed he was awarded a financial settlement by Ikea before an employment tribunal could be called.
ANN HENDERSON looks at the trailblazers of the Women’s Trade Union League and their successful fight for female factory inspectors — a battle that echoes in today’s workplace campaigns
Artists should not be consigned to a life of precarious working – they deserve dignity and proper workers’ rights, argues ZITA HOLBOURNE
It is only trade union power at work that will materially improve the lot of working people as a class but without sector-wide collective bargaining and a right to take sympathetic strike action, we are hamstrung in the fight to tilt back the balance of power, argues ADRIAN WEIR
Incoming Usdaw general secretary JOANNE THOMAS talks to Ben Chacko about workers’ rights, Labour and how to arrest the decline of the high street