The future of UK labour law: Professor Richard Whiting
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Professor Richard Whiting, The Thatcher reforms of the 1980s
\\n\\nThe future of UK labour law\\n
24 June 2017 - 11:00 am - 15:00 pm
Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS
\\n\\nAfter a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights.
\\n\\nWith the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the Combination laws (1824/5) through to the strengthening of union rights (1870s to 1906) and on to the severe restrictions of those rights in the 1980s. We will then be looking forward with ideas/proposals for a fairer and more balanced scenario in a future post-Brexit Britain.
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