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.
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...
Thousands of Northern Ireland nurses strike over pay and resourcing
Thousands of nurses in Northern Ireland have gone on strike over “unsafe” staffing levels and pay inequality with the rest...
New Bill to provide ‘right to get to work’ during transport strikes
Commuters will be given a “basic right” to get to work each day under a new law set to be...
British Airways pilots accept new pay deal
British Airways pilots have accepted a new pay deal, ending the dispute over pay and conditions that led to a...
Royal Parks workers’ pay increased following further strike threat
Park and toilet attendants who work at the Royal Parks in London have been awarded a 31% pay increase after...
The 10 most important employment law cases in 2019
We round up the most significant cases of the year including legal judgments on CCTV, restrictive covenants, enhancing shared parental leave, collective bargaining and more...
Northern Ireland health strike continues after pay offer rejected
A fresh pay offer for health workers in Northern Ireland, who have been on strike for almost two weeks, has been rejected by unions.
Union seeks pay rises for Capita’s O2 and Tesco Mobile staff
Capita has been urged to increase pay for staff who work in its O2 and Tesco Mobile customer contact centres.
Personnel Today Awards 2019: Great Western Railway on track with Managing Change Award
Train operator Great Western Railway got the green signal from the Personnel Today Awards 2019 judges, bagging the Managing Change...
Royal Mail wins High Court injunction to halt postal strikes
Royal Mail has won a High Court injunction to prevent postal workers from striking in the run-up to Christmas.
The...
Architects form union to tackle culture of poor workplace practice
A union has been formed specifically to represent architects who, say its founders, work in an industry awash with poor workplace practice.
Royal Mail seeks High Court injunction on Christmas strike action
Royal Mail claims there were “potential irregularities” in the strike ballot.
