Industrial Relations Law in the UK

This book gives an overview of the legal framework governing industrial relations in the United Kingdom at a time when a possible return of a Conservative government threatens to undermine limited advances in collective employment law.

Industrial relations law in the UK has undergone changes brought about by the EU and by Labour governments elected from 1997 onwards. While the changes have not been revolutionary, they have contributed to a shift in the landscape of industrial relations. The isolation and demonization of trade unions under earlier Conservative governments was addressed by Labour through the establishment of a ''partnership'' role for unions within the workplace, alongside a statutory recognition procedure. Also, within this period, opportunities for unions to represent their members'' interests within information and consultation procedures were increased through EU initiatives. In parallel, however, unions'' ability to strike has been very limited, while their one-time representational monopoly has been further diluted by the development of alternative channels of worker representation. This book gives an overview of the legal framework governing industrial relations in the UK at a time when a Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition government is engaging in a substantial ''Employment Law Review,'' which threatens to undermine limited advances in collective employment law. The book will be of interest to students, academics, and professionals interested in collective labor law and industrial relations in a national, European, and international context.