UK & IOM trade unionists launch joint campaign on worker’s rights Isle of Man trade unionists are stepping up their fight to win major improvements to employment protection for Isle of Man workers. The IOMTUC which represents around 10,000 private and public sector workers on the island, has joined forces with UK based unions RMT and Nautilus to campaign for TUPE - the transfer of undertaking regulations that operate on the mainland and which give workers some protection when their jobs are taken over by another organisation. Andrew Shipley, Vice President of the IOM TUC, met with Bob Crow, General Secretary of the RMT in London last week and a series of actions were agreed to highlight the dearth of employment rights on island both on the island and in the UK. Currently unions are focusing on the lack of TUPE legislation on the island. This UK legislation which provides basic and time limited protections for employees when a business is taken over by another, was introduced under a Conservative Thatcher Government – but has never been in existence on the Isle of Man. Andrew Shipley, speaking for the IOMTUC said, “All the Manx based unions are seeing an increase in transfers of employment from one organisation to another – and if privatisation of public services begins we will see an increased need for basic protections. It is shocking that private sector workers in the 21st century cannot rely on even minimum time periods to adjust to circumstances forced on them. This is primarily legislation that will benefit the many private sector workers who take pay and conditions cuts whilst new owners still rake in the profit”. An ‘iPetition’ that has been launched at(http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/tupe_iomtuc/) and the IOMTUC are urging people on Island to sign their support. This complements the postcard campaign that has been running since the visit to the island by officials of RMT and Nautilus, including Bob Crow and Steve Todd, National Secretary of the RMT. In the run up to the election in September, IOMTUC will be asking prospective MHKs to state their position on increased employment rights in Island in their election manifestos. Bob Crow, General Secretary of the RMT said; “We have been aware of this issue for some time. Our own members within the IOM Steam Packet have seen how the lack of legislation can impact them and their families. This is an issue across the trade union movement and we intend to raise the matter in the UK within the TUC. The RMT is committed to fighting for change and ensuring our members and all workers get the fair employment rights they deserve.” The IOMTUC is also seeking basic legislation covering Trade Union Recognition and Equality measures. Both areas have been on the Manx Government agenda for some time but have recently been dropped without explanation. Ends