Since 2020, 17 new trade unions have been set up in the UK with more expected to be established as the Employment Rights Act comes into force.
The new unions include the App Drivers, Couriers Union and the United Medical Associate Professionals, which reflects the growth in employment in the gig economy and healthcare sectors. Other “new” unions include Libertas, Independent Oxfam Union, Equal Justice the Union, UK Private Hire Drivers Union, United Medical Associate Professionals Trade Union, Union of Pilots, Engineers and Cabin Crew.
Employment law firm Littler says the number of new unions being created is likely to rise, because of upcoming changes in the Employment Rights Act. From 6 April the Act will make it even easier for unions to gain recognition in the workplace, by cutting the minimum membership threshold needed to force statutory recognition from 10% to as little as 2% of employees in the proposed bargaining unit to be union members.
Additionally, from October, the Act will allow trade unions to request access to workplaces to meet, support, represent, and recruit new members on site. This will allow unions a better opportunity to gain a foothold within a business.
An influx of new unions and increased competition among unions for members could create more tension with employers, said Littler partner Philip Cameron, because one way that unions could raise their visibility with potential members is to build a profile for negotiating hard with employers.
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