By Islam El-Sakka
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary, Paul Nowak, predicts a surge of union recognition agreements in the private sector over the next year as new workplace access rules take effect under Labour’s Employment Rights Act.
New access rights for unions
From Friday, unions gain the right to enter workplaces or communicate with staff electronically. From January, employers must inform workers of their right to join a union. Nowak described the changes as “transformative,” saying they could open up large parts of the private sector where unions have struggled to gain a foothold due to the previous legal framework.
Polling shows worker support
YouGov polling for the TUC indicates 62% of workers would support a union negotiating on pay and conditions, though 36% of non‑members say they would not know how to join.
Early voluntary agreements
Nowak pointed to recent deals, including agreements between John Lewis and Usdaw and between the GMB union and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, as evidence that some employers are acting voluntarily ahead of the formal rules.
Membership decline and formal process
Just over a fifth of the UK workforce are union members, down from more than half in 1979. Under the new system, a formal process overseen by the Central Arbitration Committee will handle access requests if unions and employers cannot agree.
Employer concerns dismissed
While some employers have warned of potential costs, Nowak insisted good bosses have nothing to fear, arguing that staff wanting an independent voice is not a negative verdict on management.
