Trade Union Rights-Inf. by ashok Hindocha(M-9426201999)

Trade union members to get more legal protection
14 May 2009
From later this year it will become unlawful to refuse to employ somebody because they are a member of a trade union.
The Government announced that it will legislate in this area following the revelation in March that 40 construction companies had subscribed to a database which contained a "black list" of construction workers who were trade union members and/or involved in industrial relations activity. The database was subsequently shut down.


Under the Employment Relations Act 1999, the Government can introduce regulations prohibiting the blacklisting of workers for their union membership or activities. In 2003 there was a consultation on draft regulations, but at that time no hard evidence was found that blacklisting was taking place and the regulations were not implemented.


There will be a consultation in the early summer on revised regulations and as there has already been a full consultation, this second consultation will be shorter than the usual twelve week period.


Ministers have said they plan to seek Parliamentary approval for the regulations in the autumn and implement them urgently as soon as it can thereafter.


Information about an individual's trade union membership is regarded as sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 1988 and it is therefore subject to more stringent protections then other types of personal data. Employers should always ensure they process such information lawfully. This would include not using it for any purpose other than that for which it was provided e.g. to enable union dues to be deducted from salary.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are any of the issues in this article giving you a headache? If so, we want to know
Your comments have been sent.
Thank you for taking the time and submitting your comments.

Alternatively, should you wish to call or email us our details are below:

Shoosmiths
The Lakes
Northampton
NN4 7SH
Tel: 08700 86 3000
Fax: 08700 86 3001
DX: 712280 Northampton 12
Email: commercialweb@shoosmiths.co.uk

Email this page
latest News by
www.bsnlnewsbyashokhindocha.blogspot.com
hindochaashok@gmail.com M-9426201999