The leader of the UK's biggest trade union has warned it would be a "huge mistake" for the government to water down its Employment Rights Bill, which is due to become law in the next few weeks.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said she is concerned the government is no longer committed to implementing the bill in full, following Angela Rayner's departure and the cabinet reshuffle. Other unions have also raised concerns.
The legislation would be a major shake-up of workers' rights, which would include protection against unfair dismissal, and a ban on "exploitative" zero-hours contracts.
The warnings come as a senior Labour MP told the BBC that the bill risks being ''slow walked''.
The MP warned: ''Many Labour colleagues fear that with the economy under strain, ministers may be tempted to drag their feet on implementation as an olive branch to business.''
At the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Brighton, senior union figures have voiced their concerns that the bill would be watered down following the departure of Angela Rayner, the sacking of Justin Madders as employment minister and the decision to move Jonathan Reynolds from business secretary to chief whip.
Trade union leaders are very worried. With Rayner gone, they fear they have lost a fierce champion for workers' rights in government.
Unison represents more than a million workers, many in relatively low paid jobs. The general secretary, Christina McAnea, is normally very loyal to the government.
"It's very...
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