Warwick Agreement
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Repairing link to disambiguation page : Stakeholder
The '''Warwick Agreement''' is the name of a document agreed in July [[2004]] to the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 General Election]] between many of Britain's main [[trade union]]s and the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], which helped form Labour's [[2005]] election [[manifesto]].
The [[trade union]]s are organised into a group called TULO (Trade Union & Labour Party Liaison Organisation) and you can find details of the Warwick Agreement and updates on its implementation by visiting the TULO website, [http://www.unionstogether.org.uk]
The document is named after [[University of Warwick|The University of Warwick]], where the agreement was made.
==Five main points==
There are five main points covered by the Warwick Agreement:
#Fairness at work
#Pensions
#Public services
#Manufacturing
#Other commitments
There are many principles covered by each heading (see separate sheets), including statutory pay and paid holidays, protection for pensions, sanitation improvements in the NHS, healthy eating in schools, expansion of skills programmes in the UK and more stringent limitations on interest rates and fees.
==Future developments==
There is a small sector that believes a new, more relevant version of the Warwick Agreement is required to clamp down on some aspects of public services. [[John McDonnell|John McDonnell MP]] is one of this group, quoted as saying:
“Central to this Warwick Mark II programme should be the end of privatisation, the promotion of public ownership and public services, and the implementation of the Trade Union Freedom Bill.”
Another prominent character in this is [[Jon Cruddas|Jon Cruddas MP]], who puts a lot of emphasis on policy change and improving [[Trade Union]] rights.
==Principles covered ==
'''Fairness at work'''
*Four weeks paid holiday for all, exclusive of [[bank holidays]].
*Legislation on corporate manslaughter in the next parliamentary term.
*Using [[Anti-Social Behaviour Orders]] to tackle [[violence]] and anti-social behaviour in and around front-line workplaces.
*Major rollout of [[childcare]] schemes including [[Sure Start & Extended Childcare Scheme]] for lone parents.
*Increased statutory [[redundancy pay]].
*To work in Europe for the introduction of employment protection for temporary and agency workers.
*Protection for striking workers to be extended from 8 to 12 weeks.
*New ‘[[Sectoral Forums]]’, for example in low wage industries to improve pay, skills, productivity and pensions.
'''Pensions'''
*Protection for pension funds in company transfers or [[mergers]].
*Trade unions will gain the right to bargain on pensions.
*Training to be introduced for pension trustees, and members to make up 50% of trustees.
*Assistance for those who have already lost out on occupational pensions.
*An agreement to engage in effective dialogue over the future of [[public sector]] pensions.
*Legislation, if necessary, to move beyond the current voluntary system of occupational pensions.
*A commitment on pensions for same sex partners.
'''Public services'''
*The extension of two-tier workforce protection in local [[government]] across the public services.
*A review of all [[National Health Service]] cleaning contracts on a test of cleanliness and not just the cost.
*Consultation with all [[Stakeholder (corporate)|stakeholders]] to monitor PFI<!-- what's PFI?-->, including future financial implications.
*Steps to develop staff roles, e.g., health care assistants to receive paid training and possible registration.
*A commitment not to transfer out the vast majority of NHS employees.
*Agreement to tackle unequal pay in local government.
*Measures to promote healthy eating in schools and evaluate the possible extension of the free school meals programme.
'''Manufacturing'''
*Review and enhance investment funds for manufacturing support with a view to having the best support possible.
*Promote a public procurement which safeguards jobs and skills, encourages contracts to be given to UK firms for UK workers
within [[EU law]], and support a review of [[EU procurement policy]].
*The [[Bank of England]] to consider regional and employment information when setting interest rates.
*A strong skills agenda, including
**The expansion of [[apprenticeships]]
**Rolling out Employer Training Pilots, supporting free training up to [[NVQ2]]
**Action in sectors under-performing on skills, including possible training levies
**[[Union Learning Representatives]] trebled to 22,000.
**Investment in Research and Development to rise to 2.5% of national income.
*Improve credit export facilities.
**Ensure Regional Development Agencies produce manufacturing strategies through working with employers and Trade Unions, and assist manufacturers to find new markets.
'''Other commitments'''
*The [[Royal Mail]] to stay in public hands, with telecom regulation to focus on service choice and reliability as well as network
competition.
*An immediate review of [[National Insurance Lower Earnings Limit]] to help lower paid workers get benefits.
*The New Deal to provide help to unemployed over 50’s.
*Action to tackle unethical labour agencies in the health sector.
*Further action to tackle domestic violence and support those at risk.
*Legal limits to stop rip-off interest rates for credit.
*Stronger company disclosure on social, ethical, and environmental issues.
==Resources==
*[http://www.brc.org.uk/policycontent04.asp?iCat=42&iSubCat=406&sPolicy=Employment+%28UK%29&sSubPolicy=Warwick+Agreement]
*[http://www.gmb.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=94362&int1stParentNodeID=89645&int2ndParentNodeID=89660
*[http://www.amicustheunion.org/default.aspx?page=2824]
*[http://www.amicustheunion.org/pdf/warwick%20agreement%20leaflet1.pdf]
*[http://newsweaver.co.uk/amicus/e_article000655215.cfm?x=b11,0,w]
*[http://www.tgwu.org.uk/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=93339]
*[http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file11436.pdf]
[[Category:Trade unions]]