Trade unions and trade union recognition
Union membership among public sector workers hit 6.6 million in 2025, up by almost 200,000 on the year before. Meanwhile, union membership among employees in the private sector rose by 76,000 to 2.5 million, according to figures from the Department for Business and Trade.
A number of changes to trade union regulations come into force today (18 February) as part of the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Nearly two-thirds of employers (62%) believe the UK is entering a new, more unstable period of employee relations, up from 53% in 2022, according to research from the CIPD
With the new government rolling back key sections of the 1992 and 2016 Trade Union acts, some employers may be nervous about a potential power shift towards employees. But, finds Adam McCulloch, the newly launched consultation on the proposals puts the focus more on modernisation and streamlining processes than on absolute rights.
With the general election taking place on Thursday 4 July, workers will be heading to the polls to have their say on who should form the next government. If you are still undecided on who to vote for, here we round up the major political parties' policies on work-related matters, from skills policy to labour supply.
The Government has confirmed that it will legislate for six broad parts of the public sector to have to provide a minimum level of service in the event of industrial action.
Eleven trade unions and the TUC have launched a judicial review of new regulations that allow organisations to use agency workers during strikes.
News: HR and legal information and guidance relating to trade unions and trade union recognition.