Rayner criticizes Mandelson over workers' rights dispute

Angela Rayner has pledged to give workers more power in the first 100 days of a Labor government. Photo: Getty Images/Ian Forsyth

Angela Rayner attacked Lord Mandelson in Labour's row over her plans to overhaul workers' rights.

Ms Rayner, Labour's deputy leader, hit back at the party's former spin doctor after he encouraged her to work more closely. working with businesses to develop a flagship “new deal for working people”.

Ms Rayner has pledged to give unions more powers in the first 100 days of Sir Keir Starmer's government and to scrap the anti-strike system. legislation.

In a Times column, Lord Mandelson wrote that while there were «clear arguments» for reforming existing laws, Labour's personnel policy «should not be rushed [and] should be carried out in consultation with business». Ms Rayner told the Financial Times that her «message to people like Lord Mandelson» was to remember the dire warnings that were made before Sir Tony Blair's 1997 victory.

“Business was screaming about the minimum wage, saying they would all go bankrupt and it would bankrupt the country,” she said.

“Well, that didn't happen. It's continued, and it's one of the things that — across the political spectrum — [people] are saying that it really made a difference and had a positive impact on millions of workers.»

Lord Mandelson wrote that Labour's labor policy «must not be rushed through»; Photo: Jamie Lorriman for Telegraph

The National Minimum Wage was introduced in 1999 by Sir Tony's administration, in which Lord Mandelson played a major role. The policy was a central feature of her election campaign two years ago.

Labour will bring forward a labor rights bill in its first 100 days in power, and will also repeal the Trade Union Act 2016, which imposes a number of conditions on trade unions who want to strike.

These include 50 people. turnout threshold in cents for a strike to be legally binding. Those working in health, education and transport must reach an additional threshold of 40 per cent of eligible voters.

When asked last week whether Labour's workers' rights reforms would be fully implemented , Sir Keir replied: “Yes. Let me tell you why — because deep down I believe that respect, dignity and work matter.

“As every good employer knows, if you treat people at work with respect and dignity, it increases productivity, it increases the growth of your business and enterprises, and it is actually good for the economy.”

Rachel Reeves , the shadow chancellor, used her Mais lecture in the City of London to commit to repealing anti-strike laws, while promising to «work with business as we implement and implement these policies.»

Other commitments unions include banning zero-hours contracts, ending the practice of “fire and rehire” and ensuring workers are entitled to their rights. from “day one” on the job.

But the party has scrapped a blanket ban on bosses contacting staff outside of working hours, which was proposed two years ago as a “right to switch off.”

Labour now are inclined to oblige employers to agree with staff policies regarding work and communication outside of work hours.