Liz Lynne MEP

Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands

Labour MEPs let down UK on Working Time says Liz Lynne MEP

11.20.00am GMT Wed 17th Dec 2008

Labour MEPs let down UK on Working Time says Liz Lynne MEP

Liz Lynne MEP Shadow Rapporteur for the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in Europe Group, speaking after the vote on the working time directive today said:

"The UK Government should have been able to rely on all their own MEPs to support them in the retention of the Opt Out but that was not the case.

"For months now the Government have had to work with me on this as they couldn't get the support of their own party.

"This result is a bitter blow for businesses and workers alike. I have always argued that the opt out should be retained so long as it is truly voluntary. Workers should be allowed to earn overtime if they wish to. Scrapping the opt would push people into illegal work where they are not be covered by Health and Safety legislation including the dangerous machinery directive.

"Let us hope that when we go into discussions with the Council of Ministers on this that they will not give in to the Parliament's view and maintain the opt out."

"As far as on call time is concerned it should all be classed as working time. It is unfair to count time a doctor spends on call in an on call room in hospital for instance in any other way but as working time. I am delighted that the Parliament has voted in this way. I now hope that the Council will look at this again. "

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Liz Lynne MEP is the only UK MEP representing the European Parliament in negotiations with the Council on the Working Time Directive.

Bookmark this story at: del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg FacebookFacebook LibDigLibDig redditreddit StumbleUponStumbleUpon
Print this news story.
Previous news story: MEPs to debate Working Time ahead of key Wednesday vote. (Mon 15th Dec 2008).
Next news story: Local MEP calls for an end to Gaza conflict. (Mon 5th Jan 2009).

Related News Stories:

Mon 8th Jun 2009:

Liz Lynne celebrates re-election as MEP.

Sat 23rd May 2009:

Liz Lynne MEP backs campaign to save Historic Broadfield House Glass Collection .

Thu 21st May 2009:

Liz Lynne MEP addresses Black Country Fibromyalgia Support Group .

Tue 5th May 2009:

European Parliament report on animal welfare rights a missed opportunity says Liz Lynne MEP .

Tue 28th Apr 2009:

UK opt out from 48 weekly working limit safe as Working Time Talks Collapse.

Tue 24th Mar 2009:

Kenilworth Fire Station could face blow from working time directive says local MEP.

Tue 10th Mar 2009:

Blow for farmers as European Parliament supports tough new pollution regulations for agriculture sector - Liz Lynne MEP.

Wed 4th Mar 2009:

Lives at risk: Working Time limits pose huge threat to retained fire cover - LibDem MEP.

Sat 21st Feb 2009:

UCB's strength in vocational training vital to beat the recession, says Liz Lynne MEP.

Thu 19th Feb 2009:

We can learn from rest of Europe on healthcare says Liz Lynne MEP.

Mon 16th Feb 2009:

EU Working Time Rules must not threaten our fire fighters - Liz Lynne MEP.

Tue 3rd Feb 2009:

We must end discrimination against older people, Liz Lynne MEP tells Wolverhampton Pensioners Convention.

Thu 15th Jan 2009:

Israel must listen to united voice of European Parliament and end 'collective punishment' of Gaza, says Liz Lynne MEP.

Tue 13th Jan 2009:

'EU pesticide proposals could do untold damage to local farmers` - Liz Lynne MEP.

Tue 6th Jan 2009:

Liz Lynne MEP opens healthcare exhibition.

Mon 15th Dec 2008:

MEPs to debate Working Time ahead of key Wednesday vote.

Tue 9th Dec 2008:

Could Snus help stop smoking asks Liz Lynne MEP.

Tue 18th Nov 2008:

Liz Lynne MEP launches campaign against inhumane horse transportation.

Mon 20th Oct 2008:

Liz Lynne MEP launches project to tackle social inclusion of older people.

Tue 22nd Jan 2008:

EU HELPING, BUT MUST DO MORE FOR EAST EUROPEAN ORPHANAGES - LIZ LYNNE MEP .

Thu 10th Jan 2008:

ANNOUNCEMENT PLUMMETS UK INTO DARK NUCLEAR ERA - LIZ LYNNE MEP.

Fri 21st Dec 2007:

LIZ LYNNE MEP SIGNS PADDLE FOR LIFE FOR FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE.

Fri 30th Nov 2007:

IMPERIAL MEASURES: WELCOME NEWS FROM EU - LIZ LYNNE MEP.

Mon 19th Nov 2007:

EU HELP NEEDED WITH DE-INSTITUTIONALISATION OF EAST EUROPEAN ORPHANAGES - LIZ LYNNE MEP .

Thu 15th Nov 2007:

SHREWSBURY HOMELESS PROBLEM PART OF WIDER CRISIS OF SOCIAL EXCLUSION - LIZ LYNNE MEP.

Tue 13th Nov 2007:

LIZ LYNNE MEP VISITS ECO-HOMES DEVELOPMENT.

Mon 29th Oct 2007:

SCANDALOUS UNDEREMPLOYMENT OF BLIND PEOPLE MUST BE TACKLED - LIZ LYNNE MEP.

Wed 24th Oct 2007:

A SMALL STEP TO A SMOKE FREE EUROPE - LIZ LYNNE MEP .

Thu 13th Sep 2007:

LIZ LYNNE MEP TO DEBATE HOW ELDER ABUSE IS TACKLED.

Tue 10th Jul 2007:

LIZ LYNNE MEP WELCOMES WEST MIDLANDS BUSINESS LEADERS TO BRUSSELS.

Wed 4th Jul 2007:

LIZ LYNNE MEP 'DELIGHTED' AT JOHNSTON RELEASE.

Thu 1st Mar 2007:

Liz Lynne calls on MEPs to support a cluster bombs ban.

Thu 1st Feb 2007:

LIZ LYNNE MEP APPOINTED VICE-PRESIDENT OF EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

Fri 2nd Jun 2006:

Working Time Stalemate - Lynne.

Sat 29th Apr 2006:

Liz Lynne MEP visits Yew Tree Healthy Living Centre.

Wed 22nd Feb 2006:

Pubs must call time on poor access for disabled people - Liz Lynne.

Thu 15th Dec 2005:

MEPs STRONGLY BACK INVESTIGATION OF CIA 'RENDITION' ALLEGATIONS - LIZ LYNNE.

Fri 9th Dec 2005:

MEPS MUST KICK-START SANCTIONS PROCESS OVER CIA FLIGHTS - LIZ LYNNE.

Wed 7th Dec 2005:

Working Time Directive Opt-out Must Be Kept - Liz Lynne.

Wed 30th Nov 2005:

Liz Lynne launches MEPs Against Cancer.

Tue 29th Nov 2005:

Plans to move Eye Infirmary ludicrous - Liz Lynne MEP.

Thu 17th Nov 2005:

Liz Lynne MEP welcomes European Parliament vote on complex REACH directive.

Wed 16th Nov 2005:

MEPs CALL FOR AN END TO HIDDEN SUBSIDIES FOR NUCLEAR POWER - LIZ LYNNE.

MEPs PUSH FOR BLACKLIST OF UNSAFE AIRLINES - LIZ LYNNE.

Mon 14th Nov 2005:

Liz Lynne MEP advises Festive Travellers to get their cards.

Wed 9th Nov 2005:

Liz Lynne encourages MEPs to join the 'Business Travellers against Human Trafficking' campaign.

Wed 11th May 2005:

Labour MEPs Blinded By Ideology On Working Time .

Wed 20th Apr 2005:

MEPs Vote To Scrap Working Time Opt-Out .

Mon 27th Dec 2004:

Liz Lynne MEP New Year Message.

Fri 2nd Apr 2004:

Liz Lynne MEP supports call for action to protect European healthcare .

Wed 11th Feb 2004:

Lib Dem slams 'Old Labour' MEPs for voting to ditch working time opt-out.

Thu 22nd Jan 2004:

Lib Dem slams Labour MEPs for voting to drop working time opt-out.

Wed 3rd Sep 2003:

Liz Lynne MEP welcomes historic vote on disabled people's rights.

Fri 20th Jun 2003:

Statement by Liz Lynne MEP on the Dr Raj Mattu affair:.

Tue 3rd Jun 2003:

Liz Lynne opposes "insufficient" MEP pay and conditions reforms.

Wed 28th Aug 2002:

Labour Leader resignation: Liz Lynne comment.

Sun 8th Jul 2001:

MEP LIZ LYNNE TAKES TO TWO WHEELS.

Printed and hosted by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY.
Published and promoted by Liz Lynne MEP, 55 Ely Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6LN.
The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider.