Consultation law

The TUC has issued a discussion document which identifies a number of key issues which unions will need to address in the forthcoming consultation on the new information and consultation law. The law, which has to be introduced by March 2005 to comply with a European Union directive, is seen by the TUC as a "real strategic breakthrough". However, there are concerns that it could be used to bypass existing trade union channels of information and consultation.

The TUC document, written by Mark Hall of the University of Warwick, notes that there is a concern that alternative representative bodies set up under the proposed legislation could have the status of trade unions under UK law and could therefore be used to block applications for recognition from genuine and independent unions. He recommends that the TUC should press the government to ensure that the law prevents such a possibility.