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.
Asda staff protest over contract changes
Asda staff have taken part a rally outside the retailer’s headquarters in Leeds in protest over contract changes that will...
Ryanair pilots vote to strike
Ryanair’s UK pilots have voted to strike over pay and conditions, claiming that the airline has refused to deal with unions for “decades”.
‘General strike’ proposed to support Greta Thunberg climate protests
UK employers face a 30-minute “general strike” in support of the Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, according to a motion...
Johnson’s Brexit chief opposes workers’ rights commitment
Boris Johnson’s newly appointed chief negotiator for Brexit has criticised the idea of the European Union being allowed to “set...
Unite calls off Heathrow strikes
Strikes due to hit Heathrow this weekend have been called off so union members can vote on a new pay...
BA tries to halt industrial action with High Court injunction
British Airways is seeking an injunction to stop pilots launching strike action over pay...
More women miss out on paid leave than men
One in 14 UK workers are not receiving their legal holiday entitlement, with more than one million people not getting any paid leave at all
How employees are using social activism to make their voices heard
With traditional union membership in decline, employees are finding new ways to voice their opposition to corporate decisions, as shown...
Job insecurity fuelling university staff hardship
Seven in 10 university academics and teaching staff say their mental health has been “damaged” by working on insecure contracts,...
Gig economy doubles in three years
One in 10 working-age adults in the UK work on gig economy platforms, double the number who did so in 2016.
South Western Railway staff strike in long-running guard dispute
Guards and train drivers for South Western Railway began a five-day strike today (18 June) – the latest walk-out in...
Wahaca backtracks on charging waiters over unpaid bills
Mexican-style street food chain Wahaca has altered its policy on making serving staff pay part of the bills of customers who leave without paying.
Unlawful inducements decision overturned by Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal has overturned a key employment tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal decision on whether employers can offer...
Junior doctors to vote on four-year pay deal
Junior doctors are to be balloted on whether to accept a four-year deal which will mean annual pay uplifts of...
Mayfair club kitchen porters call for the Living Wage
The Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB) has urged one of London’s most exclusive membership clubs to ensure its...
