European union card proposed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE growth of 'gagging' clauses in contracts of employment was attacked as an infringement of civil liberties yesterday.
Hector Mackenzie, general secretary of Cohse, the health service union, said sweeping confidentiality clauses were 'quite breathtaking' in their implications.
He quoted a clause from the contract for St Bartholomew's NHS Trust in central London, restricted employees, during and following employment, from revealing any details of the trust's business, under the threat of disciplinary action.
Supporting calls for a positive framework of workers' rights, he said: 'This is not about the duty of health staff to maintain normal confidentialities. This clause is designed to stop any information about developments in the trust, resourced out of public money being brought before the public.'
He challenged the Government, as the guardian of individual rights, to outlaw such gagging clauses.
To celebrate the European single market and the free movement of labour, Bill Jordan, president of the European Metalworkers' Federation, proposed a common 'Euro union card', as the TUC announced it would open a representative office in Brussels.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments