Trade Union Act (March 2017)

Date: Wednesday 24 May 2017

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The latest Trade Union Act measures came into force on 1 March 2017. Designed to protect workers from the &lsquo,effects of undemocratic strike action&rsquo,, the new ,legislation puts tougher requirements on trade unions, aiming to make industrial action less likely.

Features include an additional requirement in the public sector for at least 40% of entitled ballot voters to vote in favour of industrial action, as well as ,a requirement for more information on the ballot paper itself. The measures also double the current notice period to be given, meaning that employers will ,now have 14 days to prepare for industrial action.

Finally, there will be a new ballot threshold. In order for any ballot to be valid, at least 50% of those eligible must vote. Until this point, there have ,been no minimum turnout requirements.

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