Reforms to trade union law aim to make it simpler for trade unions to secure formal bargaining status
31 March 2026
From 6 April, unions applying to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) will face a reduced threshold for recognition.
Under the changes, only 10 per cent of workers in the proposed bargaining unit will be required to be members.
Existing requirements for unions to have the support of at least 40 per cent of the workforce in a recognition ballot will also be removed. A simple majority of those voting will now be sufficient, making union recognition considerably easier to achieve.
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Further changes will give unions enhanced rights to access workplaces, enforceable by the CAC, while employers will also be required to inform workers of their legal right to join a trade union through written statements.
The notice period for industrial action will also be reduced from 14 days to 10 days, and industrial action ballots will remain valid for 12 months rather than six months.
For employers, this means less lead time before lawful strike action can commence and a longer window during which a ballot result can be used.
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