UNISON has invited outsourcing firms for talks on how to implement the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.

In a letter, general secretary Christina McAnea says: “The Employment Rights Bill is the most significant piece of employment legislation in a generation and will make a real difference to the lives of millions of people.

“The reforms are popular, long overdue and exactly what this country needs. Anyone calling for the changes to be put on hold is not on the side of working people.

“Good companies, and their leaders, have absolutely nothing to fear from new rules. This legislation will help organisations become better employers.

“Firms engaging positively with their staff and trade unions will be best placed to win future public contracts and be seen as employers that people want to work for.”

Unions have been pressing the government not to water the Bill down at this week’s TUC Congress in Brighton.