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Labor has been forced to back away from its bid to water down promises to strengthen workers’ rights after a backlash from trade unions.
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of trying to cut back on key elements of his party’s policy of placating business, sparking criticism from some trade unions.
But after a tense meeting between Mr Starmer and trade union leaders, Mr Starmer appeared to backtrack and an agreement was reached.
Labor said it remained fully committed to the workers’ rights package, known as the “New Deal for Working People”, and union officials said they had intervened to block further changes.
Mr Starmer was accompanied by deputy leader Angela Reiner, seen as a key link to Labour, and who has personally spearheaded policy.
Insiders say Mr Reiner is determined to press ahead with the deal despite tensions between Labor leadership and trade unions over the details of its implementation.
Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, party chairwoman Anneliese Dodds, shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and shadow chancellor of the exchequer Darren Jones also took part in the talks. I I understand.
One trade union source said Labor leaders had agreed to draft a new document that reflected the original policy signed by the party and its affiliates in July, and that it would be discussed again in three weeks. It is said that there are plans to do so.
Another union official added: “The union was very united in today’s talks and we are happy with the outcome of the talks.” They will work with the Labor Party to deliver a New Deal for workers. ”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, who has been an outspoken critic of Mr Starmer’s plans, told LBC it was a “really good meeting” that resulted in an agreement.
Unite led the charge last week, accusing it of watering down the policy. Graham described it as “back in line.” It is completely unrecognizable from the original proposal drawn up with trade unions. Unrecognized. The workers will see through this and mark this setback after setback as a betrayal. ”
Labor faces a backlash over plans to subject the deal to a formal consultation process with businesses, which could delay or water down some of its policies.
Elements of the ‘New Deal’ include a ‘right to switch off’, a ban on zero-hours contracts and stronger employment rights from the first day of a new job. There were concerns that these elements would be watered down. For example, companies will still be able to take advantage of trial periods.
In a joint statement, the Labor Party and its affiliated trade unions sought to present a united front on the policy.
It is understood there are still concerns that Labor’s pledge to introduce legislation within its first 100 days in office is not a realistic deadline.
Sue Gray, a former senior civil servant and Starmer’s chief of staff, is said to be focusing on testing how realistic it is that the bill will be ready in time.
One Labor source said the deadline set was “always ambitious”.
And while there are still question marks over how the policy will be enacted through legislation, labor sources said they remain committed to starting the legislative process within 100 days.
In a joint statement, Labor and trade unions said: “The Labor Party and its affiliated trade unions held constructive discussions today.
“Together we reiterated Labour’s full commitment to the New Deal for Workers agreed in July.
“We will continue to work with the Labor Government on how to deliver this in legislation.”
Mr Starmer on Monday promised there would be “no watering down” on the policy, describing it as “the biggest level-up of workers’ rights in a generation”.
Momentum, a left-wing campaign group, said: “We commend Labour’s unions for resisting recent attempts to dilute the New Deal for Labour.”
However, the spokesperson insisted that the policies agreed at the National Policy Forum in July remained “well short of the original vision set out in 2021”.