Government Recommends More Time For Union Reps

Welcoming Government recommendations announced Monday 5th November that ACAS should consider ways to strengthen its Code of Practice outlining the time and resources that employers grant union reps to do their jobs, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Beefing up the ACAS Code would prove a great help to the small but significant minority of union reps whose employers refuse to give them paid time off to train or make it impossible for them to carry out their union duties.

'ACAS needs to find ways to strengthen its Code so that it reflects the modern world of work. This would help give union reps the time off they need to train, represent their colleagues and work with their employers to run safe, well-trained workplaces where staff enjoy a good work/life balance.

'Decent employers already recognise the business benefits of having a good relationship with unions in the workplace, and changes to the ACAS code would encourage employers who try to make life difficult for reps to see things differently. The Government's own figures suggest that properly trained and supported union reps can bring big benefits to employers by reducing absenteeism, improving job retention rates and boosting productivity.

'Unions will be pleased by the news that the Government intends to produce a joint statement with the TUC and employer organisations stating the positive role played by union reps. But we are disappointed that the Government hasn't used the facilities review to give environmental and equality reps the right to paid time off so that unions can do more to make the UK's workplaces greener and free from discrimination.'

Source: TUC

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