The Labour government is evaluating a proposal to grant trade unions weekly access to business offices, with potential fines of up to £75,000 for employers who deny entry. The Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is expected to introduce powers for trade unions to gain a “right of access” to workplaces, a privilege not currently afforded to them.
The government is considering imposing significant fines on employers who prevent union officials from entering office premises. According to a proposal in a consultation document shared with industry stakeholders, employers could face fines of up to £75,000, with larger companies potentially incurring higher penalties. The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC), a body overseeing workers’ rights regulation in the UK, would determine the fines.
Another proposal suggests that fines should be “proportional to the nature of the breach in question.” Industry feedback is being sought on whether trade unions should be granted access to offices over a two-year period, with weekly entry and the possibility of renewing access terms. Employers may also be required to respond to union access requests within five working days.
Currently, union representatives are prohibited from interfering with business operations unreasonably, a rule that will remain in place after the ERB is enacted. An official decision on the terms of union access to workplaces could be made as early as the week before Christmas, aligning with Labour’s deadline for the Employment Rights Bill to receive royal assent.
Critics, including Andrew Griffith, the shadow business secretary, argue that the proposals reflect an effort by Keir Starmer to increase union power. Griffith expressed concerns about unions potentially using access to pressure workers into joining and supporting political causes aligned with Labour, turning businesses into “playgrounds for activists.”
Some employers have criticised aspects of the Employment Rights Bill, such as granting ‘day one rights’ to individuals dismissed within the first six months of employment, allowing them to sue for unfair dismissal. This change could impose significant costs on employers. Additionally, other technical changes in workers’ rights reforms, such as increasing union leaders’ influence in strike actions, may pose challenges for businesses.
In a parliamentary speech, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner described the bill as a “game changer for millions stuck in insecure and low paid work.” The Department of Business and Trade did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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