SOLOMON HUGHES recommends Sunjeev Sahota’s recent novel set in a trade union election campaign for its fresh approach to what unites and divides workers, but wishes the union backdrop was truer to life
I
ON FRIDAY of last week, the House of Commons supported two notable private members’ Bills. These dealt with the rights of hospitality workers to receive the tips left by customers, and with the right of parents to paid neo-natal leave. These measures were, however, wholly overshadowed by two government Bills which in contrast represent an unprecedented attack on the ability of workers to enjoy a decent, secure and dignified working life.
II
The unions are unhappy with the Employment Rights Act 2025 and with good reason. KEITH EWING and Lord JOHN HENDY KC take a close look at why the Bill promised more than it delivered
The Bill addresses some exploitation but leaves trade unions heavily regulated, most workers without collective bargaining coverage, and fails to tackle the balance of power that enables constant mutation of bad practice, write KEITH EWING and LORD JOHN HENDY KC
It is only trade union power at work that will materially improve the lot of working people as a class but without sector-wide collective bargaining and a right to take sympathetic strike action, we are hamstrung in the fight to tilt back the balance of power, argues ADRIAN WEIR



