Industrial Relations

Our industrial relations team works proactively with employers across a number of different sectors helping them to improve and manage trade union relationships. Our team has a unique and comprehensive understanding of trade unions and understands the importance of maintaining good relationships with unions, and their members.  It is our unique experience that enables us to advise our clients about all aspects of trade union work.  

Our team provides advice to small and medium sized enterprises as well as much larger organisations, including public bodies that are experiencing problems with industrial relations. From the commencement of union recognition, annual pay negotiations to large scale trade disputes, we provide pro-active support, with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.

Increasingly, small to medium sized businesses and sectors which are not regarded as “unionised” are being targeted by various unions, with requests for recognition.  Dealing with unions for the first time and entering into a recognition agreement may seem daunting, for managers who are not used to dealing with industrial relations. It is important to understand the recognition process and manage the industrial relationship correctly from the outset.

At Weightmans our philosophy is to See the Possibility in all our clients, local business, and public service communities to help them succeed and now more than ever in recent years, achieving success requires employers of all shapes and size to engage with unions.

What we offer

Training

A free 45-minute remote training session on ‘Dealing with Unions’ answering any questions it may raise.

We can also arrange bespoke training for more complex issues that might arise in any type of organisation.

Bespoke Advice & Strategic Planning 

This service is for organisations that have union recognition, and/ or have industrial relations issues, or are about to embark upon a significant strategic project which may impact upon union members, and which require collective consultation.

Current Union Issues by Sector (the list is not exhaustive)

We have summarised by sector, some of the union related issues that we have or are currently dealing with:

• Education, Government, and exiting final salary / expensive pension schemes.
• Transport & Health Services, advice and assistance about minimum service levels, during period of industrial action.
• The commercial Sector, acquisitions and transfers.
• Charities and Housing sector, difficult pay negotiations and implementation of job evaluation schemes.
• Many organisations across all sectors require assistance with specific projects which require strategic planning and timelines, such as contractual variation, and reorganisation as a result of TUPE or large-scale collective

Other Union Related Work 

We are frequently asked for advice and support with:

• Difficult historic industrial relations, difficult trade union officers, and activists.
• Industrial action planning, and Injunctions.
• Planning and managing union meetings
• Mediation service (if not conflicted).
• Advice and assistance with referrals to CAC for Statutory Recognition.
• Advice and assistance with derecognition.
• Advising about Section 188 Consultation and identifying when consultation might be exhausted.
• Detailed Risk Assessments.
• General communications.
• Media statements.
• Damage limitation.
• Advice about Re-building Industrial Relations.
• Defending Protective Award claims, Inducement claims and other union related claims.
• In person training about dealing with unions.

Why Weightmans and what makes us different?

Why Weightmans?

First and foremost, we care, and always provide the best service possible, we are available to support our clients at the most difficult times. Our reputation as a leading law firm is based upon excellent client service.

Why is our industrial relations team different?

Our lawyers are dedicated and experienced, and members of industrial Relations Team deal with unions from the lowest to the highest possible level. Our head office is in Liverpool, we understand the structure, history, and industrial background to some of the largest unions in this country. Our knowledge and experience of  dealing with unions  means that tactically, we can provide your business or organisation with the most appropriate industrial relations strategy.

Contact our dedicated Industrial Relations Team for more information by filling out the form below and a member of the team will be in touch to arrange a free 30 minute consultation.