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.
Union calls for across-the-board minimum wage
Workers should be paid at least £5.35 per hour, according to trade union Usdaw.Usdaw has submitted evidence to the Low...
PCS protest ballot could lead to mass walkout in Civil Service
The biggest Civil Service strike in more than a decade could come a step closer when the result of a...
Gatwick baggage handlers to walk out this weekend
A two-day strike will hit Gatwick this weekend with up to 600 staff at Servisair, which provides baggage handling at the airport, set to walk out.
Finance union merger finally gets green light
Unifi, the financial union, has finally merged with Amicus after a complaint over the balloting process was dismissed by the...
TUC healthcare members back Agenda for Change programme
The Transport & General Workers Union has confirmed that its NHS members have given their backing to new pay packages...
Latest airport strike hits baggage services
The latest strike by baggage handlers at Gatwick airport is taking place today.Hundreds of workers are staying away for 12...
Mineworkers union to fold after 60 years
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is set to fold after 60 years in which it dominated the industrial landscape....
Lyons retires from the TUC den
This week, Roger Lyons retires as TUC president after 38 years as a trade unionist. He tells Personnel Today what the future holds for trade unions and why the trade union movement could soon be stronger than ever
Trust is the key for retail giant
Tesco has become the country's leading retailer by putting its faith in its people and the unions that represent them. The result? A dynamic workplace that delivers quality service to its customers while at the same time bringing in the revenue.
Facing NHS problems head-on
Andrew Foster, HR director at the NHS, talks to Mike Berry about managing vast numbers in the world's third largest workforce
Dispensing with the disposable
Long-term relationships at work are back in vogue as employers tire of the disposable workforce. Or so the facts suggest
All aboard
Underlying the changes has been a more open approach to communication between all levels and departments. Whereas information had been...
Bigger numbers add up for finance union
This summer, financial services union Unifi merges with Amicus to create one of the UK's biggest trade unions. Michael Millar asks Unifi's joint general secretary, Rory Murphy, about the impact this will have on employers and on the future of the unions
Retail therapy
UK companies will soon have to set up works councils and consult employees before organisational changes are made – a...
Transfer trivia
Is the Code of Practice on public sector staff transfers really preventing two-tier workforces?
Entries are now open. But don’t delay – as the closing date for submissions will be Friday 03 July.
