2016 ITUC Global Rights Index - United Kingdom

Trade unionists bring a case against construction firm over illegal blacklisting in front of the High Court: A decades-long controversy between construction workers and the firms that blacklisted them was brought in front of the High Court. Eight major construction firms have been facing legal action for compensation from 700 people represented by GMB, Ucatt and Unite unions. It was only last year that the firms admitted use of blacklisting tactics although the use of blacklisting in the construction industry was uncovered in 2009. It was at that time that offices of The Consulting Association (TCA) were raided by the Information Commissioner's officers. They retrieved personal files on over 3,000 workers, activists and trade unionists blacklisted because considered "trouble-makers". The target was often directed against those active in trade unions or political campaigns, or those who raised health and safety issues on site.

The eight leading construction firms had issued an apology at the High Court in London for their involvement in the blacklist scheme. In February this year construction companies were ordered to pay out millions of pounds in compensation to 71 workers who had been illegally blacklisted.

The Trade Union Bill: In March 2016, the Trade Union Bill was before the Parliament adding further requirements to the labyrinthine procedure that unionists must follow before taking a strike action. Its key provisions included the following: new ballot thresholds – a minimum 50 per cent turnout in all strikes and, in important public services, a requirement that at least 40 per cent of the members eligible to vote are in favour of the strike (clauses 2-3); detailed notice requirements about strikes (clause 4); a shorter period during which strikes can be held (clause 8); additional constraints on picketing, requiring a supervisor at every picket (clause 9); new rules restricting members' contribution to union political funds (clauses 10 and 11); restrictions on unions' facility time – the time union officials spend on union duties – in the public sector (clauses 12 and 13); a prohibition on the deduction of union subscriptions direct from wages, known as check-off, in the public sector (clause 14) and linked changes, in separate regulations, allowing employers to employ agency workers to replace striking workers. Despite harsh opposition from trade unions and different sides of the political arena (from Conservative backbenchers to Labour Party MPs) and critics from the ILO Committee of Experts, only minor amendments have been made to the Bill.

Lloyds Bank to "derecognise" its staff's biggest union: LLoyds Bank "derecognised" its biggest trade union: "Lloyds Trade Union". The union, born more than a century ago, represents more than 25,000 staff at Britain's biggest retail bank. The decision of excluding the trade union from formal negotiations over pay and conditions at the bank was taken after the LTU strenuously opposed changes to the Lloyds pension scheme, calling an industrial ballot and after winning millions of pounds for 10,000 female staff following a lengthy legal battle. According to LTU general secretary Mark Brown, "Lloyds is paying us back for being a thorn in their side, but we are going to continue to be a thorn in their side", qualifying the Bank's decision as an act of retaliation against trade union activity.