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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.


    • Latest News
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    • Economics, government & business

    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.

    • Employment law
    • Latest News
    • Ethnicity

    Black workers face greatest risk from workplace surveillance

    by Jo Faragher 30 May 2025
    by Jo Faragher 30 May 2025

    Black employees are at the highest risk of being targeted by workplace surveillance, according to research from the IPPR.

    • NHS
    • Industrial action / strikes
    • Latest News

    Streeting appeals to resident doctors to vote against strikes

    by Rob Moss 29 May 2025
    by Rob Moss 29 May 2025

    Health secretary appeals to resident doctors to vote “no” in a strike ballot over pay, saying the public does not support them.

    • Acas
    • Latest News
    • Employment tribunals

    Unfairly dismissed TUC workers awarded £100k

    by Rob Moss 29 May 2025
    by Rob Moss 29 May 2025

    Two unfairly dismissed TUC workers awarded £100,000 following flawed investigation involving general secretary Paul Nowak.

    • NHS
    • Military
    • Latest News

    Public sector workers gain pay rises of up to 4.5%

    by Adam McCulloch 22 May 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 22 May 2025

    Resident doctors (formerly junior doctors) will receive 5.4%, doctors 4% and nurses and other health care staff 3.6%.

    • Latest News
    • Trade unions
    • Pay settlements

    Ryanair demands flight attendants pay back salary increase

    by Jo Faragher 21 May 2025
    by Jo Faragher 21 May 2025

    Ryanair has asked a number of flight attendants in Spain to repay salary increases after a legal dispute with one of their unions.

    • Local authorities
    • Disability discrimination
    • Education

    Union rep teacher awarded £370k for unfair dismissal

    by Rob Moss 15 May 2025
    by Rob Moss 15 May 2025

    Teacher and union rep awarded £370,000 after head teacher unfairly dismissed her in ‘revenge’ for her opposing lesson observations plan.

    • Artificial intelligence
    • Uber
    • Zero hours

    How can businesses build protections for gig workers?

    by Jo Faragher 7 May 2025
    by Jo Faragher 7 May 2025

    Gig or platform workers can be an overlooked group when it comes to employment protections and safety.
    Clarity on their...

    • Stress
    • Education
    • Occupational Health

    Two-thirds of school leaders suffering mental ill health

    by Nic Paton 6 May 2025
    by Nic Paton 6 May 2025

    Nearly two-thirds (65%) of school leaders and head teachers say their mental health has been harmed in the previous 12...

    • NHS
    • Industrial action / strikes
    • Latest News

    Resident doctors to ballot for strike action

    by Rob Moss 2 May 2025
    by Rob Moss 2 May 2025

    Resident doctors in England have announced dates for a ballot for renewed strikes and industrial action over pay.

    • Employee relations
    • Industrial action / strikes
    • Latest News

    Ofgem workers ballot for strike action

    by Adam McCulloch 2 May 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 2 May 2025

    Hundreds of workers at the energy regulator Ofgem are being balloted over strike action in a dispute over pay and jobs.

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