UPDATE - Fire and Rehire

Bill defeated but Mr Gardiner vows to fight on

UPDATE - Fire and Rehire

Shortly after my newsletter went out yesterday the Fire and Rehire Bill (Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill) was was defeated 251 votes to 188. The government has said it wants new guidance for the practice of firing and rehiring rather than changing the law.

It has been reported that up to 70% of the firms using fire and rehire tactics were making a profit. Speaking in the debate, Business Minister, Paul Scully said:

‘The unambiguous message is that bully-boy tactics of fire and rehire, for use as a negotiating tactic, is absolutely inappropriate. . . However, I do not believe that this bill as it stands – even if it’s amended, as I do not believe we need that primary legislation to achieve its ends – will actually have the effect.

What we need to do is make sure that we can address these situations. We’ll legislate if we need to, but we’ll do it as a last resort, not as a first resort.’

Barry Gardiner who introduced the Bill tweeted:

Barry Gardiner @BarryGardiner

The end of a long day’s campaigning for my Bill to #StopFireandRehire The Tories may have stopped my Bill, but they haven’t stopped the campaign.

See: The Guardian, BBC, Personnel Today for more on this news.