Global Rights Index 2014 - United Kingdom
Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
Publication Date | 19 May 2014 |
Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, Global Rights Index 2014 - United Kingdom, 19 May 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53bcf97b5.html [accessed 22 October 2022] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Country Rating: 3
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Regular violation of rights
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Government and/or companies are regularly interfering in collective labour rights or are failling to fully guarantee important aspects of these rights. There are deficiencies in laws and/or certain practices which make frequent violations possible.
Samaritans do not recognise unions: The charity organisation, the Samaritans, employer of 110 employees, has had a voluntary recognition agreement with Unite since 2005. However, at a recent meeting management reneged on the agreement and refuses to discuss the issue. Unite now plans to initiate a statutory recognition process.
Barriers to lawful strike actions: The procedures for calling a legal strike are long and very technical. Unions must give notice to the employer of the intention to hold a ballot, of the results of the ballot, and of the intention to strike. An employer can seek an injunction against a union before a strike has even begun if the union fails to properly observe any of these steps.