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Labour Unions Meet Prime Minister at Number 10

This week Labour-affiliated unions, including the Musicians’ Union, met Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss workers’ rights.

Published: 06 February 2025 | 3:59 PM
Exterior of number 10 Downing Street.
Angela Rayner offered her assurances that issues facing freelancers, such as late payment of fees and the right to a written contract, will be legislated on soon. Photo: Shutterstock.

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented the MU in a meeting with Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner this week.

They discussed the Employment Rights Bill and ensuring that this once-in-a-generation piece of legislation works for union members.

Potentially transformative change

The bill includes potentially transformative measures to tackle the unfairness of zero-hours contracts, close the gender pay gap and ensure day-one employment rights.

Responding to the bill's publication in October 2024, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl said:

“It’s fantastic to see Labour raising the bar to stop sexual harassment and protect workers by including liability for third-party harassment, which is a big issue for our members. MU research in 2019 revealed that 47% of respondents had been harassed by a third party such as an audience member.

“We also welcome the strengthening of protections around pregnancy and maternity, and hope that this will give more reassurance to new mothers and parents working in the music industry, and make it easier for them to assert their rights.”

At the time Angela Rayner offered her assurances that issues facing freelancers, such as late payment of fees and the right to a written contract, will be legislated on soon, and the Union continues to press on these issues.

Making your voice heard in government

It follows a packed month of political meetings to start 2025, including:

 

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