Received from: Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
Congress believes that young workers, like all workers, need and deserve a fair deal at work. We welcome the government’s revised remit for the Low Pay Commission last year to help eliminate the wage disparity for young people in the national minimum wage. The Employment Rights Bill also includes several commitments that will have a positive impact on young workers, including helping to tackle one-sided flexibility.
Congress firmly agrees that the next step is looking at other age-related employment provisions with a view to removing all age-related discrimination.
The government has committed to gathering further views on strengthening the collective redundancy framework in 2025. Congress is clear that any further review of redundancy provisions must address the entrenched age discrimination within statutory redundancy pay.
Congress also welcomes the provision of trade union access to workplaces and the simplification of the statutory recognition process within the Employment Rights Bill. Congress recognises that to deliver parity in all areas of employment legislation, we need to use these tools to redouble our efforts in organising young workers, who are essential to the future of the movement.
Congress calls on the General Council, in co-ordination with the Young Workers Forum, to:
i. continue to push for action on all issues affecting young workers
ii. make the case for equitable redundancy pay in government consultation responses, specifically when the government comes to gather views on strengthening the collective redundancy framework
iii. develop a national organising young workers strategy, to help secure the future of the trade union movement.
Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers