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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.


    • Collective bargaining
    • Employment law
    • Latest News

    Deliveroo drivers remain self-employed, appeal court rules

    by Jo Faragher 25 Jun 2021
    by Jo Faragher 25 Jun 2021

    Takeaway service Deliveroo has won the latest round of a legal fight over the status of its riders.
    The Independent...

    • Absence
    • Education
    • Latest News

    One in 12 key workers missed out on statutory sick pay

    by Ashleigh Webber 24 Jun 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 24 Jun 2021

    Essential workers unable to claim statutory sick pay Q1 2020, because they did not meet the minimum earnings threshold, included 27% of cleaners and 26% of retail workers.

    • Social mobility
    • Hybrid working
    • Collective bargaining

    Working class roles lack access to flexible working

    by Jo Faragher 18 Jun 2021
    by Jo Faragher 18 Jun 2021

    A poll by the TUC has suggested there could be an “emerging class divide” when it comes to future home-working...

    • Employment law
    • Data protection
    • France

    Ikea France fined €1m for spying on staff

    by Rob Moss 15 Jun 2021
    by Rob Moss 15 Jun 2021

    French subsidiary of Swedish furniture retailer receives €1 million fine for snooping of employees.

    • Zero hours
    • Latest News
    • Ethnicity pay gap

    Gig work rife with ‘structural racism’

    by Adam McCulloch 14 Jun 2021
    by Adam McCulloch 14 Jun 2021

    Zero hours contracts are failing to provide more flexibility to workers and are instead trapping people in low pay and insecure work.

    • NHS
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    Nurses recruited without correct qualifications, union alleges

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Jun 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Jun 2021

    A growing number of people without the right qualifications are being recruited for registered nursing roles.

    • Fire and rehire
    • Coronavirus
    • Zero hours

    Employment Bill: What now for workers’ rights?

    by Russell Dann 28 May 2021
    by Russell Dann 28 May 2021

    What's next for workers' rights, given the omission of the Employment Bill from the government's legislative agenda?

    • Rest periods
    • Collective bargaining
    • Employee relations

    Uber recognises union for first time

    by Jo Faragher 27 May 2021
    by Jo Faragher 27 May 2021

    Uber has agreed to recognise a trade union for the first time, announcing that the GMB will have the power...

    • Corporate governance
    • Employee engagement
    • Employee communications

    FTSE 350 companies ‘could do better’ on employee voice

    by Jo Faragher 25 May 2021
    by Jo Faragher 25 May 2021

    Many major companies treat their corporate governance responsibilities on workforce representation as a “tick-box exercise” according to a review of...

    • Collective bargaining
    • Employee relations
    • Dispute resolution

    Crucial collective bargaining case reaches Supreme Court

    by Adam McCulloch 17 May 2021
    by Adam McCulloch 17 May 2021

    Kostal UK Ltd v Dunkley and Others will decide whether organisations are able to negotiate directly with staff where trade unions hold collective bargaining rights. 

    • Agency workers
    • Latest News
    • Gig economy

    Spain passes landmark gig economy law

    by Jo Faragher 17 May 2021
    by Jo Faragher 17 May 2021

    Food delivery and courier companies in Spain now three months to employ drivers as staff under a landmark new law.

    • Bonuses
    • Employee relations
    • Data protection

    Rail staff falsely promised bonus in cyber security exercise

    by Ashleigh Webber 11 May 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 11 May 2021

    A rail union has criticised West Midlands Trains for sending staff an email that falsely promised bonuses in an attempt to test their cyber security awareness.

    • Bonuses
    • Coronavirus
    • Compensation

    Logistics giant criticised for furlough use while paying CEO bonus

    by Ashleigh Webber 10 May 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 10 May 2021

    Unions are disappointed that XPO Logistics has paid its CEO a $3.3m bonus while claiming millions in furlough grants.

    • Collective bargaining
    • NHS
    • Latest News

    Nurses to receive ‘activist’ training to fight for more pay

    by Jo Faragher 10 May 2021
    by Jo Faragher 10 May 2021

    Up to 25,000 nurses are to receive training to become ‘activists’ in a bid to help nursing unions to convince the government to improve its pay offer.

    • Fire and rehire
    • Employee relations
    • Employment law

    Unions and MPs urge action on ‘fire and rehire’

    by Ashleigh Webber 7 May 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 7 May 2021

    A letter signed by unions and 140 MPs and Lords urges the government to use next week's Queen's Speech to announce legislation banning 'fire and rehire' tactics.

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