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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
    • 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.

    • Rest periods
    • Stress
    • Coronavirus

    Number of NHS doctors looking to retire early doubles

    by Rob Moss 4 May 2021
    by Rob Moss 4 May 2021

    The number of UK doctors considering leaving the NHS early has more than doubled in 10 months, according to the British Medical Association.

    • Case law
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    High Court to probe PM’s decision not to sack Patel

    by Rob Moss 28 Apr 2021
    by Rob Moss 28 Apr 2021

    The High Court will examine Boris Johnson’s decision that home secretary Priti Patel did not break Whitehall rules, following widespread allegations of bullying.

    • Coronavirus
    • Employee relations
    • Health and safety

    Three in five jobcentre staff feel office is unsafe

    by Ashleigh Webber 19 Apr 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 19 Apr 2021

    A Public and Commercial Services union survey finds only 21% of Jobcentre Plus staff would feel safe dealing with benefits claimants face-to-face.

    • Case law
    • Collective bargaining
    • Local authorities

    Court of Appeal rules foster carers can unionise

    by Rob Moss 16 Apr 2021
    by Rob Moss 16 Apr 2021

    Foster carers are “workers” and have the right to unionise, according to a ruling today by the Court of Appeal....

    • Fire and rehire
    • Employee relations
    • Latest News

    Crunch time for British Gas engineers to agree new contract terms

    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Apr 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 14 Apr 2021

    Today is the final day that British Gas engineers can agree to new terms and conditions or face dismissal.

    • Stress
    • Hybrid working
    • Latest News

    Give remote workers right to disconnect, urges union

    by Ashleigh Webber 13 Apr 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 13 Apr 2021

    According to Prospect, two-thirds of remote workers want to see a new “right to disconnect” enshrined in law.

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Deliveroo riders on strike over pay and conditions

    by Ashleigh Webber 7 Apr 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 7 Apr 2021

    Around 400 Deliveroo riders are striking over pay and conditions today, amid growing pressure for it to improve working practices and rights.

    • Artificial intelligence
    • HR software
    • Legal sector

    TUC urges new laws to rein-in artificial intelligence

    by Adam McCulloch 25 Mar 2021
    by Adam McCulloch 25 Mar 2021

    The TUC has sounded the alarm over ‘huge gaps’ in UK employment law over the use of AI.

    • National living wage
    • Employment law
    • Latest News

    Uber agrees to give drivers minimum wage and employment rights

    by Jo Faragher 17 Mar 2021
    by Jo Faragher 17 Mar 2021

    Following the Supreme Court ruling that its drivers are workers, Uber is giving its UK drivers a guaranteed minimum wage, holiday pay and pensions.

    • Latest News
    • Employment tribunals
    • Pay & benefits

    Union alleges Yodel underpaid night shift workers

    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Mar 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 9 Mar 2021

    The GMB Union is taking Yodel to tribunal over claims hundreds of night workers were underpaid.

    • NHS
    • Latest News
    • Public sector

    Proposed 1% pay rise for NHS ‘the worst kind of insult’

    by Ashleigh Webber 5 Mar 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 5 Mar 2021

    The governent has recommended a 1% pay increase for NHS staff in a report to the health service's Pay Review Body.

    • Civil Service
    • Employee relations
    • Bullying and harassment

    Priti Patel settles civil servant bullying case with £340,000 payout

    by Adam McCulloch 4 Mar 2021
    by Adam McCulloch 4 Mar 2021

    Civil servant Sir Philip Rutnam has settled his unfair dismissal case for £340,000 plus legal costs, as the home secretary avoids a tribunal hearing.

    • Coronavirus
    • Vaccinations
    • Latest News

    Furlough one year on: How has the job retention scheme evolved?

    by Jo Faragher 3 Mar 2021
    by Jo Faragher 3 Mar 2021

    As employers absorb today’s budget announcements, many will be reflecting how – this time last year – caution and concern...

    • Collective bargaining
    • Employee relations
    • Latest News

    Union’s recognition bid rejected by Court of Appeal

    by Ashleigh Webber 26 Feb 2021
    by Ashleigh Webber 26 Feb 2021

    Independent Workers Union of Great Britain disappointed by decision, which hinged on Unison already being recognised by University of London.

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