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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.


    • Minimum service levels
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    MSLs not needed for nuclear, says government

    by Rob Moss 19 Feb 2024
    by Rob Moss 19 Feb 2024

    Government has no current plans for minimum service levels in nuclear sector because 'voluntary agreements have worked well so far'.

    • Latest News
    • HR strategy
    • Flexible working

    Third of women’s flexible work requests rejected in public sector

    by Adam McCulloch 15 Feb 2024
    by Adam McCulloch 15 Feb 2024

    ‘Too many employers are still turning down flexible-working requests, which means the right to request is pretty meaningless for many women,’ says Unison leader.

    • NHS
    • Employee relations
    • Latest News

    Five-day junior doctors strike announced

    by Adam McCulloch 9 Feb 2024
    by Adam McCulloch 9 Feb 2024

    Junior doctors will walk out for nearly five full days between 24 February and 28 February, the British Medical Association...

    • Minimum service levels
    • NHS
    • Latest News

    Minimum service levels in hospitals

    by Rob Moss 5 Feb 2024
    by Rob Moss 5 Feb 2024

    Regulations for hospital MSLs could be enforced under the Strikes (Minimum Services Levels) Act, but will NHS trusts decide to use them?

    • Minimum service levels
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    PCS launches legal challenge against minimum service levels

    by Jo Faragher 29 Jan 2024
    by Jo Faragher 29 Jan 2024

    The PCS union will launch a legal challenge against the government's minimum service levels regulations.

    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes
    • Trade unions

    BMA consultants narrowly reject pay offer

    by Rob Moss 25 Jan 2024
    by Rob Moss 25 Jan 2024

    British Medical Association’s consultant members reject the pay offer negotiated between the union and government.

    • Minimum service levels
    • Employee relations
    • Latest News

    Mark Serwotka: why the union fight will continue

    by Jo Faragher 23 Jan 2024
    by Jo Faragher 23 Jan 2024

    Outgoing PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka tells Personnel Today about the union's greatest achievements and what lies ahead.

    • Minimum service levels
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Extra LNER strike cancelled after minimum service levels ditched

    by Rob Moss 22 Jan 2024
    by Rob Moss 22 Jan 2024

    Aslef union cancelled extra five-day strike at LNER after government-owned company said it would not impose minimum service levels.

    • Minimum service levels
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    LNER’s minimum service levels add a week of strikes

    by Rob Moss 18 Jan 2024
    by Rob Moss 18 Jan 2024

    Government-owned train operator LNER showing signs it would impose minimum service levels leads to a fivefold increase in strikes.

    • NHS
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Consultants reject latest pay offer

    by Ashleigh Webber 15 Jan 2024
    by Ashleigh Webber 15 Jan 2024

    Consultants in England, members of the HCSA, reject latest pay offer, citing issues with the amount of time they will be given to develop skills.

    • Latest News
    • Public sector
    • Trade unions

    TUC: ministers risk repeating Post Office scandal errors

    by Adam McCulloch 13 Jan 2024
    by Adam McCulloch 13 Jan 2024

    Last October’s Procurement Act was a ‘huge missed opportunity’ to tighten up rules around outsourcing public services and protecting employees.

    • NHS
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    NHS chief thanks doctors who returned during strike

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Jan 2024
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Jan 2024

    NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard has thanked junior doctors who returned to work during strike action last week. 

    • NHS
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Junior doctors’ union renews mandate as strike begins

    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Dec 2023
    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Dec 2023

    As junior doctors in England begin strike action over pay, one of the unions involved has secured another strike mandate until at least June.

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    First female leaders announced for civil servants and pilots’ unions

    by Adam McCulloch 15 Dec 2023
    by Adam McCulloch 15 Dec 2023

    Fran Heathcote will be the general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), and Amy Leversidge moves from the FDA union to become general secretary of the British Airline Pilots’ Association.

    • Minimum service levels
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Minimum service levels in the UK

    by Rob Moss 15 Dec 2023
    by Rob Moss 15 Dec 2023

    Minimum service levels (MSLs) are being introduced in key public services in an attempt by the UK government to reduce the impact of strikes.

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