If you would like to take part in our website visitor survey, please visit the site and then come back and select this link to take part in the survey.

Website of the UK government

Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.

Public services all in one place

Main menu

Employment

Employment

Trade unions

Trade union blacklisting consultation

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has launched a consultation for views on plans to outlaw the blacklisting of trade unionists

Introduction to trade unions

What a trade union is, what they do and why you might choose to join one

Industrial action

When you can take industrial action, what you have to do, and what protection there is for you

Time off for trade union activities

Find out about the rights that employees have to take time off for certain trade union duties and activities

Your right to join (or not to join) a trade union

Find out what your rights are to belong to, or not belong to, a trade union

Picketing and picket lines

What picketing is, when and where picketing is legal and what to do if you want to cross a picket line

Access keys