Politics · United Kingdom · 18 hrs ago
GMB seeks workplace access under new UK employment law
The GMB contacted chief executives minutes after new rules took effect under the UK’s Employment Rights Act.
The union, which represents about 600,000 workers, says it can access workplaces to meet, recruit and organise staff.
The rules apply to companies with at least 21 workers and allow unions to seek weekly access to offices and factories.
Employers must also distribute union correspondence within two working days and let unions invite staff to online meetings during work hours.
They must not monitor workers’ attendance at those meetings or track engagement with union messages.
Employers who fail to comply risk fines of up to £500,000, while the government has warned that the wider law could cost businesses up to £5 billion a year.
The rules took full effect on October 30, and the GMB has asked companies to follow them.
The GMB contacted chief executives three minutes after new UK employment rules came fully into force, seeking access to workers.
The rules took effect on October 30 and allow union officials and shop stewards to access offices and factories.
Companies with at least 21 workers can be required to provide unions with weekly access.
Employers who fail to comply risk fines of up to £500,000.
The reforms are part of the Employment Rights Act, which the Government has warned could cost businesses up to £5 billion a year.
- Who
- The GMB, which represents about 600,000 workers, contacted chief executives.
- What
- The union sought access to staff to meet, recruit or organise workers under new employment rules.
- When
- October 30, three minutes after midnight.
- Where
- The rules apply to workplaces in the UK. The emails were sent to chief executives.
- Why
- The GMB said the rules give union officials access to workers. The union also outlined rights to invite staff to online meetings and distribute correspondence.
GMB
Employers
Workplace access
GMB
The GMB says it must be given access to meet, recruit or organise workers.
Employers
Employers are required to comply with access requests under the new rules.
Costs
GMB
The union outlines its new rights under the law.
Employers
There is concern the reforms will be costly for employers.
The employment rules came fully into force.
The GMB wrote to chief executives about the new rules.
- Union membership
- About 600,000 workers represented by the GMB
- Workforce threshold
- At least 21 workers
- Maximum fine
- £500,000
- Employer access
- Weekly access can be demanded
- Government cost warning
- Up to £5 billion a year
What people are saying
meet, recruit or organise workers
not record or monitor attendance at GMB online meetings, and not track engagement with GMB communications, including email