Trade unions and industrial action: UK employment law

Essential points

• Employee relations describe an organisation’s relationship, whether at a collective or individual level, with those who work for it.
• At a collective level, an organisation may inform and consult with its workforce through a forum made up of employee representatives, and/or with a trade union representing its employees through a collective bargaining arrangement.
• Collective bargaining may take place through a voluntary agreement or may be imposed on an employer if a trade union succeeds using a formal union recognition process.
• If bargaining arrangements break down, and a dispute arises, a trade union may take industrial action, including a strike.
• If a strike is ‘lawful’, those taking part are protected from unfair dismissal.

A range of changes have been proposed by the Labour government, including new rights for trade unions to access workplaces in a regulated and responsible manner, on appropriate notice.

This page outlines the current legislation around working with trade unions that should still be followed until any changes come into force. We will update this page once details of any changes are confirmed.