Trade unions
A trade union is an association of workers in a particular industry or sector, designed to protect the rights, interests and working conditions of employees. Large trade unions in the UK include the TUC, Unite, Unison, the GMB and Usdaw.
Trade unions can receive recognition, or employers can derecognise trade unions. Employment laws protecting employees taking industrial action, such as taking part in strikes or picketing, are contained in the Employment Rights Act 1996 and Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Furlough: what the updated guidance clarifies, and what it doesn’t
Employers may still have questions even after Rishi Sunak's clarification of the system's details.
Agency staff gain new rights under the Good Work Plan
Swedish derogation contracts finally become unlawful from today, as REC calls for coronavirus clarification for agency staff.
BA pilots face unpaid leave as easyJet seeks contract changes
Airlines manoeuvre to slash employee costs in response to coronavirus.
Coronavirus: What employers need to know (webinar)
ON-DEMAND | As the true impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic becomes apparent, employers are facing...
Staff face ‘temporary’ redundancies and reduced hours
Airlines and manufacturers are having to lay-off staff but how easy is this, particularly as different rules and agreements govern relationships with employees in different countries.
Coronavirus: Union warns against relaxing drivers’ hours rules
Trade union Unite has warned against extending the amount of time drivers can operate their lorries, saying that while its...
University staff begin 14-day strike in long-running pay and pensions dispute
Staff at 74 universities have begun 14 days of strikes, the latest wave of industrial action over changes to pensions...
Supreme Court to hear ‘unlawful inducements’ appeal
The Supreme Court will consider whether an automotive parts firm made “unlawful inducements” when it bypassed a trade union and...
Key London NHS trust to directly employ 1,000 services workers
NHS trust moves to 'insource' 1,000 cleaners, porters and catering staff previously on minimum wage.
Crunch time for universities pay and pension disputes
Academics at 74 universities may strike this term after a re-ballot of staff showed strong support for the dispute over the union stance on pensions and pay.
Proposed salary increases not enough say teaching unions
The government has provided more information on pay increases for teachers since it announced the biggest sustained uplift in pay...
Health workers’ unions suspend strikes in Northern Ireland
New NI minister of health secures funding for pay parity with NHS England.
‘Toxic, bullying culture’ and lack of diversity in fire services
Some of England’s fire and rescue services have a 'toxic, bullying culture' and a lack of diversity, inspectors have found.
Six employment law cases that will shape 2020
We look at six important employment law cases that will get the headlines in 2020, covering significant issues such as...
Scotland’s university lecturers to reconsider strike action
University lecturers in Scotland are to be re-balloted on whether to strike over pay and increasing workloads.
The Educational Institute...
