Labour Research April 2012

Union news

Trades councils

Updated rules and guidance for trades union councils and county associations have been published by the TUC as a result of the boom in new trades councils being established.

Forty-eight new or re-established trades union councils have been created in the last two years, and 10 more are expected in the coming year, according to the TUC. A number of the new bodies have been seeking clarity on rules and structure of trades councils, not all of which is clear from the existing 2006 rules.

The Trades Union Councils Joint Consultative Committee has produced updated rules and guidance, which also cover the decision that trades councils should promote sustainable development. The documents are available at www.tuc.org.uk/union/tuc-20567-f0.cfm