Unite’s Sharon Graham warns union could divert funds from Labour if workers’ rights plan weakened
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said any weakening or delay to Labour’s New Deal for Working People was a ‘red line’ for her union as she issued a warning to Keir Starmer
One of Labour’s biggest union backers has warned it could divert funds from the party if workers’ rights plans are watered down.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said any weakening or delay to the New Deal for Working People was a “red line” for her union. The reforms, first unveiled in 2021, would give all workers employment rights from their first day in a job and impose a ban on exploitative zero hours contracts.
Labour has played down reports that the reforms could be watered down amid fierce lobbying from business groups. Keir Starmer’s spokesman this week insisted it would be in the Labour manifesto and legislation would be brought forward within the first 100 days of a Labour Government.
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Ms Graham, who has been critical of Mr Starmer’s leadership, told the Observer: “We’ve got £29million in our political fund. Of course, normally my conversations with Labour would be around policy, but also around how we can assist.
“Now we’re looking to see whether we have to spend some of this on trying to get them into the right place, campaigning in constituencies and making sure that they understand this is a really important thing.”
Trade unions affiliated to Labour backed the deal at the party’s National Policy Forum last year, except for Unite which abstained in a vote on the deal. Other union leaders are still backing Mr Starmer over the plans, with the latest version expected to be unveiled soon.
Critics believe that a loophole is being created in the promised ban on zero-hours contracts, by allowing workers to opt out – although employers would be required to offer a contract based on regular hours worked.
Labour insiders insist that this isn’t the case and the party is committed to outlawing the exploitative practice. Aides say they are simply trying to translate the pledge into a workable programme for Government and the commitment stands.
Ms Graham said: “Obviously, we want a Labour government, I want a Labour government, the country needs a Labour government. But there is a real difference between limping into Downing Street or being carried on workers’ shoulders.
“This is not an issue about cost. This is an issue where they have been effectively moved by the business lobby, there’s no doubt about that. For me, it is a red line. I’m going to be meeting a number of Labour figures, including reaching out to Keir and having a conversation. I’m a negotiator. I know what changes of wording mean.”
It comes after Aslef General Secretary Mick Whelan told the Mirror he would be “incredibly angry” if the deal was changed. “It is transformative for working people,” Mr Whelan said.
A Labour spokesperson said: “The new deal will be a core part of Labour’s offer and we will be campaigning on this ahead of the general election.
“Labour’s new deal for working people was agreed at the party’s national policy forum last summer, building upon our green paper. Our commitments to bring forward legislation to parliament within 100 days to deliver the new deal and to consult widely on implementation have not changed.”
