What MEPs have done for you
Unite has elected representatives working on
behalf of members on a local, national and international level. At
a European Union level, Unite MEPs are at the forefront of ensuring
greater rights and protection for members in the UK. Many of
the pivotal pieces of employment and social legislation that have
made a direct difference to the lives of union members have
been introduced at a European level – this is why the work Unite
MEPs do is so important.
To date, Labour MEPs, many of them Unite
members, have to date secured new Europe-wide laws in relation to
workplace rights, including:
- Signing Britain up to the Social
Chapter, giving British workers the rights already enjoyed by their
continental colleagues.
- Implementing EU wide laws on working
time, limiting the length of time workers can be obliged by their
employer to work to 48 hours per week.
- Requiring, for the first time in
Britain, a guaranteed right to paid holiday.
- Bringing in the European works council
laws giving new rights to workers in transnational
companies.
- Introducing proper procedures for
information & consultation of workers on all significant
changes affecting companies with over 50 employees.
- Reversing the burden of proof in
discrimination cases, putting the onus on employers to prove that
they do not discriminate.
- Giving both parents the right to time
off when a child is born or adopted.
- Bringing in measures to give part time
workers the same rights as full time workers as regards training,
pensions, maternity rights and leave.
- Improving the rights of temporary
workers regarding pay and paid leave.
- Adopting common standards on numerous
aspects of health & safety at work, including extra protection
for workers using machinery which vibrates.
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