Skip to main content
Rising unpaid overtime and Britain’s economic woes

FOUR in 10 workers are putting in a full extra shift every week. And they are not getting paid for the extra hours.

In strict economic terms this is an increase in the rate of exploitation. And the fact that many employers get away with it reflects the imbalance in class power.

One measure of this ever-shifting balance of power is the number of workers in trade unions. Another is the proportion of workers in the labour force covered by collective agreements between trade unions and employers or employers’ organisations.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
A view of £5, £10, £20 and £50 bank notes
Britain / 28 February 2025
28 February 2025
People walking near the Bank of England
Britain / 18 December 2024
18 December 2024
‘The Bank of England must act decisively and cut rates to get the UK economy back on track,’ IPPR says
FAIR PAY: Health workers march to Downing Street, London
Features / 13 December 2024
13 December 2024
For its own good the Labour government should take a radical, progressive approach to investing in public services instead of tinkering around the edges, argues DIANE ABBOTT
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking at the TUC congress
Editorial: / 8 September 2024
8 September 2024