UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan has urged union representatives to prepare to use new workplace-access rights coming into force on 30 October.
The Employment Rights Act introduces a statutory framework through which independent trade unions can request physical or digital access to workers for recruitment, representation, organising and collective bargaining.
Egan described the change as a major organising opportunity, particularly in outsourced services and workplaces with low union membership. She said UNISON should prepare access requests in advance and document any attempts by employers to frustrate the new rights.
Where an agreement cannot be reached, a union can apply to the Central Arbitration Committee. Regulations provide for escalating penalties when an organisation repeatedly breaches an access agreement: up to £75,000 for a first order, £150,000 for a second and £500,000 for a third or subsequent order.
Egan called the reform a "major milestone" but said UNISON would press for shortcomings to be addressed when the government reviews the framework after its first six months.
She identified organising among adult social-care and school-support workers, as well as employees of outsourced public-service contractors, as priorities for the union.
