UK Government Proposes Doubling Strike Mandate Duration for Unions

Labour's Employment Rights Bill seeks to expand union powers and streamline industrial action procedures.

The proposed legislation would allow unions to strike for up to a year after a ballot, doubling the current six-month mandate.
The bill aims to lower the threshold for union recognition from 10% to 2% of the workforce, facilitating easier negotiations.
Strikes would require only a simple majority in ballots, removing the current 50% turnout requirement for validity.
New measures would relax rules on 'wildcat' strikes, potentially allowing unions to post online notices instead of individual written notices.
The government's analysis suggests the reforms could cost businesses up to £5 billion annually, sparking concerns among employers.