TUC Leader Predicts Thousands of New Union Deals by Next October

Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, projects that the UK will sign hundreds, if not thousands, of new union recognition agreements by this time next year. He attributes this forecast to new legal rules that take effect immediately, granting trade unions the right to enter workplaces or communicate with staff electronically.

The shift follows the implementation of Labour’s Employment Rights Act. Starting this Friday, unions gain statutory access to premises and digital channels to contact workers. In January, employers will face a legal obligation to inform their staff of the right to join a trade union. Nowak describes the change as transformative, noting that previous legal frameworks hampered unions’ ability to establish a foothold in the private sector.

YouGov polling conducted for the TUC supports the momentum. The data shows that 62% of workers support a trade union negotiating on their behalf for pay and conditions. However, 36% of non-members say they do not know how to join one. Nowak cites recent voluntary deals, including agreements between John Lewis and the Usdaw union, and between the GMB and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as evidence that employers are reacting before the rules are fully in force.

The UK workforce currently sees just over a fifth of employees as trade union members. This figure represents a sharp decline from the more than half who held membership in 1979, prior to Margaret Thatcher’s election. The new legislation aims to reverse this trend by aligning British practices with European standards, where unions are considered an integral part of the workplace.

Previously, unions often had to campaign from outside company buildings when they could not agree on access with management. A notable example was the GMB’s unsuccessful effort to win recognition at an Amazon warehouse near Coventry two years ago. Under the new rules, a formal process overseen by the Central Arbitration Committee will handle disputes if a union and employer cannot agree on workplace access.

Employers have raised concerns about the potential costs of the new regime. Nowak argues that successful organizations should not view an independent staff voice negatively. He states that employers have nothing to fear and that workers can desire a strong union presence while working for a high-performing company.

The access rights are the latest step in a wider government overhaul of workers’ rights. Extensions to sick pay are already in effect, and further changes, including restrictions on zero hours contracts, are scheduled to follow.