Employment relations provisions

Most of the Employment Relations Act 2004's remaining provisions came into effect on 6 April 2005 - including the extension of protection against dismissal for striking workers from eight to 12 weeks, as agreed at Warwick last year.

Other newly implemented provisions are:

* changes to recognition and derecognition procedures;

* confirmation that, in collective bargaining, "pay" does not include pensions;

* an outline of ACAS's role in settling recognition disputes;

* protection against detriment and dismissal for doing jury service; and

* provision of government funds to modernise unions.

Still to be enforced are the sections covering:

* prevention of unfair practices during recognition and derecognition; and

* information to be provided to the employer when balloting for industrial action or giving notice of action.

For further details, visit www.dti.gov.uk/er/index