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UNIONS should have the right to enter workplaces, conduct digital voting and should only need 40 per cent turnout to be formally recognised, an influential think tank has said.
The Resolution Foundation (RF) said the modernising measures are necessary after four decades of laws limiting union activity have widened inequality between workers and bosses.
It said these should be complemented by the creation of “good work agreements” (GWA) to solve sector-specific issues.
The policy recommendations were made in the think tank’s “Putting good work on the table” briefing note, part of The Economy 2030 Inquiry, which was welcomed today by the TUC.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “Insecure work has rocketed over the last 13 years as workers have endured the longest pay squeeze in modern history.
“This report rightly recognises the importance of improving job quality across Britain and the crucial role unions can play in achieving this.”
The RF said for workers to fully understand their options, unions should have a right to enter workplaces to raise awareness among employees.
It added that union recognition should only need a majority vote with 40 per cent worker turnout, instead of the current rule requiring 40 per cent of the workforce’s support, which would be “more into line with other aspects of democratic life.”
And that voting processes should be more inclusive by introducing an online option for union recognition ballots, saying: “Requiring postal-only ballots is an antiquated approach unfit for the 21st century.”
RF described GWAs as “a framework to bring together workers and employers to collaboratively solve problems and address poor-quality work in specific pockets of the economy, complementing existing national regulation and industrial relations.”
It said one should be set up immediately for care workers as they do not get paid for travelling time between clients, followed by hospitality workers who have highlighted “extremely long shifts and harassment from customers.”
Unison head of social care Gavin Edwards said: “Deep-rooted issues in care, including the staffing crisis, can only be tackled with a joint approach.
“Unions, employers, councils and the government all need to work together if vulnerable people are to get the services they need.
“Adopting a national pay structure for all care providers would be an important step in reforming the sector.
“Bringing union ballots into the 21st century using digital voting would also be an important step in ensuring workers’ voices are heard.”
