… in brief

This week’s news in brief

Public sector code

Unison has welcomed ministers’ proposals to write a code of conduct for
private sector companies working in the public sector. The House of Commons Public
Administration Select Committee has recommended that a public service code be
written into all public sector outsourcing contracts.  www.unison.org.uk

Strike action looms

The Transport and General Workers Union has told local government employers
to agree to its 6 per cent pay claim or face the first national strike in local
government for 23 years. Bill Morris, general secretary of the union, said he
is determined to call an immediate strike if his members vote ‘yes’ to refuse
the employers’ 3 per cent pay offer.  www.tgwu.org.uk

Shares Bill moves on

The Employee Share Schemes Bill looks set to become law in the autumn after
receiving its third reading in the House of Commons last week. The Bill will
incentivise private companies to introduce employee share ownership and also
provide tax relief for Share Incentive Schemes.  www.dti.gov.uk

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Pensions fight

A group of steelworkers is set to take industrial action in a bid to defend
their final salary pension scheme. More than 100 members of the Iron and Steel
Trades Confederation at the Caparo Merchant Bar factory in Scunthorpe will
begin an overtime ban tomorrow.