Review of the Employment Relations Act 1999

Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, has today launched a review of the Employment Relations Act 1999 at the CIPD Employment Law conference 2002. The Review will look at compulsory trade union recognition measures, although changes will be limited according to the DTI. The CIPD expresses caution about the initiative.

Diane Sinclair, Lead Public Policy Adviser responded, The law is working well at the moment and is finely balanced between employers and employees; for instance many trade unions are currently winning claims under the Act. We hope that the government allows this legislation to bed down before changes are considered.

The DTI has also launched a consultation document today on implementing the EU Directive on informing and consulting staff in the UK.

Sinclair comments, We are pleased that the Government is consulting at an early stage. It is critical that the resulting law in the UK reflects the importance of economic and business performance, as well as fair treatment of employees.

The information and consultation directive will give employees the right to be informed and consulted on the development of business activities and changes to work organisation and contractual relations.

It is due to come into effect in the UK for organisations of more than 150 staff by March 2005 and for smaller organisations by March 2008. Organisations employing less than 50 people are likely to be excluded.