Revised ballots code on the way

From 18 September 2000 workers called on to take industrial action will get protection from being named to employers. At the same time the procedures for organising industrial action ballots will be streamlined. The changes come with the publication of a new draft code of practice on industrial action ballots and notice to employers. The code is the result of a consultation exercise completed last month.

With publication of the draft code, which will come into force on 18 September 2000, the government has cleared the way for the introduction of the changes to the law on industrial action, contained in the Employment Relations Act 1999. These allow unions to delay calling industrial action for an additional four weeks to allow time for negotiations to continue. They will also end the requirement on unions to name those whom they are balloting or calling on to take industrial action.

law at work 2000