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Trade unions

BIS is responsible for policy and legislation on trade unions including:

• trade union recognition and collective bargaining
• industrial action
• Statutory Redundancy Pay
• guarantee payments
• providing information and advice on trade unions and their policies

Trade union guidance

Guidance on trade unions in the workplace can be found on businesslink.gov.uk, for employers, and Directgov for employees or workers:

• businesslink.gov.uk guidance on employee representatives and trade unions 
• Directgov guidance on trade unions 

The Union Modernisation Fund

The purpose of the Union Modernisation Fund is to provide financial assistance to independent trade unions and their federations in support of innovative projects which speed unions' adaptation to a changing labour market and new ways of working. Click above for further information.

Trade union membership: rights of members and non-members

BIS guidance

• Union Modernisation Fund
  
  
• Industrial action and the law: guidance (128KB)
• Industrial action and the law: citizen's right to prevent disruption (47KB)
• Payment of union subscriptions through check off: guidance (53KB)
• Trade union funds and accounting records: guidance (47KB)
• Trade union political funds: a guide for trade unions, their members and others (108KB)
• Union membership: rights of members and non-members (166KB)
• Unjustifiable discipline by a trade union: guidance (48KB)
• Trade union executive elections: a guide for trade unions, their members and others (112KB)