CWU Welcomes Move On Agency Workers

CWU has welcomed the announcement by government that agency workers will receive equal treatment.

Billy Hayes, General Secretary, said: “This is a big step forward for the UK’s 1.4 million agency workers. CWU has been involved throughout the campaign to get fair treatment for agency and temporary workers and we are satisfied that the government has listened and responded to the inequalities faced by workers every day.

“I was pleased to be there this morning to hear the decision. A quarter of a million workers in the communications industries will directly benefit from this change. Legislation will also strengthen our and other unions’ bargaining rights to achieve better pay and conditions for agency members. It’s a great day for agency workers everywhere.”

The TUC has also given its backing to the Government and CBIs decision:

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 General Secretary Brendan Barber 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.'

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