Union fury as Labour waters down New Deal for workers

A HUGE row has exploded after Sir Keir Starmer watered down his controversial workers’ rights plan.

Unite trade union savaged the final document that was quietly slipped out overnight.

It confirms U-turns over a proposed ban on zero-hours contracts – toning it down to only “exploitative” zero-hours arrangements.

And softens their pledge to introduce a legal “right to switch off” that would allow employees to disengage from calls and emails out of work hours.

Instead, workers and employers will have “constructive conversations” and “work together” on workplace policies or contractual terms.

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They have also softened language around when specific measures will come into effect, emphasising the need for consultation with business.

Labour has even renamed the radical package in a bid to woo swing voters and reassure businesses.

It had previously been known as the “New Deal for Working People” and will now be called “Labour’s Plan to Make Work Pay”.

It follows a power struggle over how hard the party should go on the reforms designed by deputy leader Angela Rayner.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has been trying to reassure business they can trust Labour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the new scheme has “more holes in it than Swiss cheese”.

She fumed over the lack of detail on fire and rehire, adding: “The number of caveats and get outs means it is in danger of becoming a bad bosses’ charter.”

And she warned the party must show it will “stick to its guns” on workers’ rights.

Labour’s plan will still hand trade unions sweeping new powers if Labour wins the General Election.

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And they will tear up laws that reigned in the powers of unions and end the practice of hire and refire.

A Labour spokesperson said: "Labour’s New Deal for Working People is our plan to make work pay. It’s how we’ll boost wages, deliver secure work and support working people to thrive – delivering a genuine living wage, banning exploitative zero hours contracts, and ending fire and rehire.

"The New Deal is a core part of our mission to grow Britain’s economy and raise living standards in every part of the country. Labour will make Britain work for working people.”