Royal Assent has been bestowed upon the Employment Relations Bill which aims to update trade union and employment law.
Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said:
“The Employment Relations Act 2004 builds on the success of our earlier measures to modernise trade union and employment law. It also extends from eight weeks to 12, automatic protection against unfair dismissal for employees taking lawfully-organised, official industrial action.”
In addition to these measures the Bill establishes a Union Modernisation Fund which will bequeath £5-10 million to independent trade unions and federations over the next few years.
The measures contained in the Act will come into force in stages between October 2004 and April 2005.
