Warwick Agreement - Principles Covered

Principles Covered

Fairness at work

• Four weeks paid holiday for all, exclusive of bank holidays.
• Legislation on corporate manslaughter in the next parliamentary term.
• Using Anti-Social Behaviour Orders to tackle violence and anti-social behaviour in and around front-line workplaces.
• Major rollout of childcare schemes including Sure Start & Extended Childcare Scheme for lone parents.
• Increased statutory redundancy pay.
• To work in Europe for the introduction of employment protection for temporary and agency workers.
• Protection for striking workers to be extended from 8 to 12 weeks.
• New ‘Sectoral Forums’, for example in low wage industries to improve pay, skills, productivity and pensions.

Pensions

• Protection for pension funds in company transfers or mergers.
• Trade unions will gain the right to bargain on pensions.
• Training to be introduced for pension trustees, and members to make up 50% of trustees.
• Assistance for those who have already lost out on occupational pensions.
• An agreement to engage in effective dialogue over the future of public sector pensions.
• Legislation, if necessary, to move beyond the current voluntary system of occupational pensions.
• A commitment on pensions for same sex partners.

Public services

• The extension of two-tier workforce protection in local government across the public services.
• A review of all National Health Service cleaning contracts on a test of cleanliness and not just the cost.
• Consultation with all stakeholders to monitor PFI, including future financial implications.
• Steps to develop staff roles, e.g., health care assistants to receive paid training and possible registration.
• A commitment not to transfer out the vast majority of NHS employees.
• Agreement to tackle unequal pay in local government.
• Measures to promote healthy eating in schools and evaluate the possible extension of the free school meals programme.

Manufacturing

• Review and enhance investment funds for manufacturing support with a view to having the best support possible.
• Promote a public procurement which safeguards jobs and skills, encourages contracts to be given to UK firms for UK workers

within EU law, and support a review of EU procurement policy.

• The Bank of England to consider regional and employment information when setting interest rates.
• A strong skills agenda, including
  • The expansion of apprenticeships
  • Rolling out Employer Training Pilots, supporting free training up to NVQ2
  • Action in sectors under-performing on skills, including possible training levies
  • Union Learning Representatives trebled to 22,000.
  • Investment in Research and Development to rise to 2.5% of national income.
• Improve credit export facilities.
  • Ensure Regional Development Agencies produce manufacturing strategies through working with employers and Trade Unions, and assist manufacturers to find new markets.

Other commitments

• The Royal Mail to stay in public hands, with telecom regulation to focus on service choice and reliability as well as network

competition.

• An immediate review of National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit to help lower paid workers get benefits.
• The New Deal to provide help to unemployed over 50’s.
• Action to tackle unethical labour agencies in the health sector.
• Further action to tackle domestic violence and support those at risk.
• Legal limits to stop rip-off interest rates for credit.
• Stronger company disclosure on social, ethical, and environmental issues.