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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.


    • Fire and rehire
    • USA
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Unite hails victory in fire and rehire dispute with US hot dog giant

    by Adam McCulloch 25 Jul 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 25 Jul 2025

    About 550 workers at US company Oscar Mayer in Wrexham had been involved in 200 strike days between September 2024 and April 2025.

    • Minimum service levels
    • NHS
    • Employee relations

    NHS England toughens stance on resident doctors’ strike

    by Adam McCulloch 24 Jul 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 24 Jul 2025

    The head of England's NHS has said the organisation must be more resistant to resident doctors' pay demands, and that strikers should face ‘financial consequences’.

    • NHS
    • Dispute resolution
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Resident doctors strikes to go ahead

    by Jo Faragher 23 Jul 2025
    by Jo Faragher 23 Jul 2025

    Doctors union the BMA has warned that changes to strike planning could risk patient safety.

    • Ethics
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    Former Unite leader accepted flights and hospitality from building firm

    by Jo Faragher 23 Jul 2025
    by Jo Faragher 23 Jul 2025

    Len McCluskey, former head of the Unite union, accepted flights on a private jet arranged by a building company.

    • Latest News
    • Employment tribunals
    • Trade unions

    Sandie Peggie takes legal action against Royal College of Nursing

    by Jo Faragher 21 Jul 2025
    by Jo Faragher 21 Jul 2025

    Sandie Peggie has launched a legal action against the Royal College of Nursing, claiming the union refused to support her.

    • Hybrid working
    • Latest News
    • Flexible working

    TUC launches inspections of workplaces for heat safety

    by Adam McCulloch 13 Jul 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 13 Jul 2025

    The TUC has organised a nationwide inspection of workplaces this week for heat safety, with more than 1,000 trade union health and safety reps signed up to take part.

    • NHS
    • Employee relations
    • Dispute resolution

    Doctors vote for return to strike action

    by Nic Paton 8 Jul 2025
    by Nic Paton 8 Jul 2025

    Resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) in England have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a return to strike action,...

    • Collective bargaining
    • Dispute resolution
    • Employee relations

    Seven ways to prepare now for the Employment Rights Bill

    by Jo Faragher 20 Jun 2025
    by Jo Faragher 20 Jun 2025

    The exact schedule for the Employment Rights Bill is still uncertain, but there are a number of practical measures HR...

    • Industrial action / strikes
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    NHS pay disputes: Who could strike again?

    by Rob Moss 20 Jun 2025
    by Rob Moss 20 Jun 2025

    As senior doctors start voting on whether they could strike, we round up the health unions' stance on pay and who might strike again.

    • Collective redundancy
    • Latest News
    • Information & consultation

    Poundland closures mean over 1,000 jobs at risk

    by Rob Moss 18 Jun 2025
    by Rob Moss 18 Jun 2025

    Poundland plans to close 68 stores and two warehouses with reports estimating that between 1,000 and 2,000 jobs are at risk.

    • Latest News
    • Economics, government & business
    • Movers and shakers

    HR and employment leaders feature in King’s birthday honours list

    by Jo Faragher 16 Jun 2025
    by Jo Faragher 16 Jun 2025

    A number of figures in the HR and employment space have been awarded in the King’s birthday honours list.
    Neil...

    • Latest News
    • Retail
    • Employment tribunals

    Former employees of Wilko gain £2m payout

    by Adam McCulloch 13 Jun 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 13 Jun 2025

    An employment tribunal has awarded a £2m payout to almost 10,000 former employees of high street retailer Wilko.

    • Acas
    • Dispute resolution
    • Employee relations

    Workplace disputes: ‘Most employment tribunals could be avoided’

    by Adam McCulloch 12 Jun 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 12 Jun 2025

    A radical departure from the adversarial approach of employers, employees, management and unions is needed – Pete Colby, Pragmatism.

    • NHS
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    Nurses vote on whether 3.6% pay rise is enough

    by Rob Moss 9 Jun 2025
    by Rob Moss 9 Jun 2025

    Nurses in health service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland begin voting in consultative ballot on 3.6% pay rise.

    • Fire and rehire
    • Employment law
    • Latest News

    House of Lords to resume scrutiny of Employment Rights Bill

    by Adam McCulloch 30 May 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 30 May 2025

    The House of Lords will resume their detailed scrutiny of the Employment Rights Bill at committee stage on Tuesday 3 June.

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