Employment Relations under Coalition Government

<p>Drawing on a wide range of up-to-date research, <i>Employment Relations under Coalition Government</i> critically examines developments in UK employment relations during the period of Conservative-Liberal Democrat government between 2010 and 2015, against the background of the 2007-08 financial crisis, subsequent economic recession and in the context of the primacy accorded to neo-liberal austerity. Contributions cover a series of important and relevant topics in a rigorous, yet accessible manner: labour market change and the rise of zero-hours contracts and other forms of precarious employment; policy development relating to young people’s employment; the coalition’s welfare-to-work agenda; its programme of employment law reform and its approach to workplace equality and health and safety; labour migration; the experience of the trade unions under the coalition and their responses; and developments in employment relations in the public services. </p><p>This book addresses the broader issues relating to the coalition period, such as the implications of political and regulatory change for employment relations, including the greater devolution of powers to Scotland and Wales, and locates UK developments in comparative perspective. The book concludes with an assessment of the prospects for employment relations in the aftermath of the May 2015 Conservatives election victory.</p> <p><strong>Part 1: Introduction</strong></p><p>1. The UK Coalition Government 2010-15: An Overview</p><p>Steve Williams and Peter Scott</p><p>Part 2: The Coalition’s Economic, Employment and Labour Market Reforms</p><p>2. Economic Policy and Employment under the Coalition Government</p><p>Enda Hannon</p><p>3. The Coalition’s Youth Employment Policies: Addressing a Structural Challenge?</p><p>Melanie Simms, Sophie Gamwell, and Benjamin Hopkins</p><p>4. Welfare-to-work Policy under the Coalition</p><p>Steve Williams and Peter Scott</p><p>Part 3: Employment Relations under the Coalition</p><p>5. The Coalition Government and the Lifting of the Floor of Individual Employment Rights</p><p>Roger Welch </p><p>6. Equality and Diversity at Work under the Coalition</p><p>Simonetta Manfredi</p><p>7. Protecting Life and Death under the Coalition</p><p>Phil James</p><p>8. Tightening the Grip: The Coalition Government and Migrant Workers</p><p>Alex Balch</p><p>9. <i>Plus ça change:</i> The Coalition Government and Trade Unions</p><p>Steve French and Andy Hodder</p><p>Part 4: Reforming the State</p><p>10. The Coalition Government and Employment Relations in the Public Services</p><p>Peter Scott and Steve Williams</p><p>11. Deciphering the Coalition’s Big Society: Issues and Challenges for Work and Employment Relations</p><p>Brian Abbott</p><p>Part 5: The Coalition and Employment Relations: Perspectives and Prospects</p><p>12. Employment Relations under Coalition Government in Perspective</p><p>Steve Williams and Peter Scott</p><p>13. Employment Relations under Coalition government: Reflections, Legacy and Prospects</p><p>Steve Williams, Peter Scott, and Roger Welch</p>