Industrial Relations Law in the United Kingdom has undergone changes brought about by the Labour government elected in 1997 and by the European Union. While those changes have not been revolutionary, they have contributed to a shift in the landscape of industrial relations. Trade unions' bargaining role has been strengthened and consultation functions have increased. In parallel, however, unions' ability to strike remains very limited and 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 United Kingdom at a time when a possible return of a Conservative government threatens to undermine limited advances in collective employment law. The publication is of interest to those studying collective labour law and industrial relations in a national, European and international context.