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.
GMB general secretary denies rigging election
Kevin Curran says allegations of electoral wrong-doing are defamatory and scurrilous
TUC seeks Britain’s meanest bosses
The TUC today launches a campaign to find the modern Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas’ meanest boss.
The union body has set...
Worldwide union set to fight for staff rights
The international labour movement has unveiled plans to create a single union body by 2006 to ensure that workers’ rights...
Pilots threaten strike action if EU flying hours laws adopted
The UK’s airline pilots are threatening not to co-operate if new laws harmonising flying hours across the EU are introduced....
Wincanton drivers to vote on improved offer
Drivers, warehouse and clerical staff at the Wincanton hauliers depots in Doncaster and Manchester are to vote on a new...
Union urges BBC staff to join before sweeping changes
BBC employees are being urged to sign up to trade union Bectu in the week that major changes are going...
Jaguar in talks with unions to avoid job cuts
Unions are locked in talks with Jaguar management in the hope of persuading them not to stop car production at...
High price to pay for workers’ rights
Colombia is the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. About 50 have been killed this year alone, and their deaths have virtually been ignored by its government
Unions focus on four big issues prior to election
With “probably six months until an election”, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has outlined four priorities, which unionists say the...
Unions focus on four big issues prior to election
With “probably six months until an election”, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber has outlined four priorities, which unionists say the...
Rising death rate puts corporate killing law back on agenda
The rise in deaths at work reported by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has prompted renewed calls for legislation...
Public sector descends on parliament to make point on pensions
Hundreds of public sector workers from across the UK will descend on Parliament today to lobby their local MPs on...
TUC claims union membership is on the rise
Trade union membership is on the rise in workplaces where unions are promoting learning and training at work, according to...
UK unions demand end to ‘anti-union’ legislation
UK trade unions are calling for a new charter of workers rights to replace what they call ‘anti-union laws’.
The...
Rail-freight workers to step up industrial action after collapse of talks
Staff at rail-freight company EWS are to be consulted on stepping up their industrial action over jobs, working hours and...
Entries are now open. But don’t delay – as the closing date for submissions will be Friday 03 July.
