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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.


    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Economics, government & business

    European Trade Union Confederation calls for higher quality jobs and training

    by Greg Pitcher 16 Oct 2007
    by Greg Pitcher 16 Oct 2007

    Employers must offer higher quality jobs as well as helping workers increase their skills, the European Trade Union Confederation has...

    • Dispute resolution
    • Employee relations
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Unions vote today on Royal Mail deal

    by Gareth Vorster 15 Oct 2007
    by Gareth Vorster 15 Oct 2007

    The long-running dispute between the Communications Workers Union (CWU) and the Royal Mail is close to an end as unions...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Learning & development

    Aer Lingus threatens pilots with suspension over Belfast base terms and conditions

    by Gareth Vorster 9 Oct 2007
    by Gareth Vorster 9 Oct 2007

    Aer Lingus has threatened to suspend pilots who fail to co-operate with new staff recruitment and training programmes at its...

    • Employee relations
    • Health and safety
    • Occupational Health

    Union safety representatives prove invaluable

    by Nic Paton 5 Oct 2007
    by Nic Paton 5 Oct 2007

    Union safety representatives make a real difference when it comes to improving an organisation’s health and safety, a study has...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    GMB renews efforts to enrol sex workers

    by Mike Berry 5 Oct 2007
    by Mike Berry 5 Oct 2007

    The GMB is renewing its drive to recruit more sex workers. The union held a two-day conference for women last...

    • Employee relations
    • Dispute resolution
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Unite’s local government members vote to accept sub-2.5% pay deal

    by Mike Berry 2 Oct 2007
    by Mike Berry 2 Oct 2007

    Local government workers who are members of the Unite union have voted to accept a revised pay deal worth just...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    Employers still at a loss over super union Unite’s plans

    by Personnel Today 2 Oct 2007
    by Personnel Today 2 Oct 2007

    Most employers are still in the dark about the motives and ambitions of super-union Unite, five months after its formation...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • HR strategy

    Remploy human resources chief promises fresh start with trade unions

    by Mike Berry 1 Oct 2007
    by Mike Berry 1 Oct 2007

    Remploy’s HR chief has vowed to wipe the slate clean with the organisation’s trade unions and work towards securing the...

    • Employee relations
    • Trade unions

    Silent Unite: Super union Unite has been slow to communicate with human resources

    by Rob Willock 1 Oct 2007
    by Rob Willock 1 Oct 2007

    Research from Personnel Today and Eversheds reveals that the new super union Unite has been slow to communicate its strategy...

    • Employee relations
    • Industrial action / strikes
    • Latest News

    IBM workers in Italy to set up cyber picket line in virtual reality world Second Life after bonuses are slashed

    by Mike Berry 26 Sep 2007
    by Mike Berry 26 Sep 2007

    Unions across the globe will tomorrow (Thursday) be setting up the first ever cyber picket line in Second Life â€“ the...

    • Employee relations
    • Employment law
    • Health and safety

    Spitting feathers: Union slams AA boss for failing to honour agreement

    by Mike Berry 24 Sep 2007
    by Mike Berry 24 Sep 2007

    SPITTING FEATHERS… The GMB union has been accused of fowl play after its latest publicity stunt to attack the new...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Industrial action / strikes

    Royal Mail slams Communication Workers Union October strike plans

    by Rob Moss 21 Sep 2007
    by Rob Moss 21 Sep 2007

    The Royal Mail has condemned yesterday’s decision by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) to stage further strikes next month, criticising...

    • Civil Service
    • Careers in HR
    • CIPD

    Leading civil service HR director Angela O’Connor warns of difficult times ahead for public sector

    by Gareth Vorster 19 Sep 2007
    by Gareth Vorster 19 Sep 2007

    A leading civil service HR director has warned of difficult times ahead for the public sector as it faces up...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Trade unions

    Worldwide survey finds 144 trade union members murdered in 2006

    by Mike Berry 18 Sep 2007
    by Mike Berry 18 Sep 2007

    Last year 144 trade unionists were murdered for defending workers’ rights, while more than 800 suffered beatings or torture, according...

    • Employee relations
    • Latest News
    • Economics, government & business

    Trades Union Congress motions: flights of fancy or soaring successes?

    by Greg Pitcher 17 Sep 2007
    by Greg Pitcher 17 Sep 2007

    The annual TUC Congress in Brighton last week was a mine of information as speak­ers from unions debated topics as...

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