Industrial Action

  • Unions are no longer required to secure 40% support in favour of industrial action in ballots in key public services such as fire,health, education, transport, and border security. 
  • The information that unions are required to include in Notices of Ballot and Notices of Action have been simplified. In broad terms,Notices of Ballot are now required only to give lists of the categories of workers and workplaces to be balloted (not the numbers in each) and the total number of workers concerned in regard to non-check-off members. Notices of Action will be required to detail the number of members to be induced at each workplace but will not have to give the number of members in each category. 
  • Ballot Papers will no longer require a summary of the trade dispute, the dates of when it is envisaged the action will be called or the types of industrial action short of a strike that are being called. 
  • Ballots approving industrial action now have a 12-month mandate. 
  • Unions are now only required to give 10 days’ notice to employers of their intention to take industrial action (reduced from 14 days). 
  • Unions are no longer required to appoint a picket supervisor. 
  • Protections for those dismissed for taking part in strike action have been enhanced. 

However, the 50% turn-out requirement will remain until the advent of electronic balloting currently anticipated to take effect in August 2026. 

 

Visit our main Employment Rights Act Hub for further information.Â