Consultation on tackling intimidation of non-striking workers

Overview

The Government is reforming and modernising the rules relating to picketing.  The Trade Union Bill makes key aspects of the Code of Practice on Picketing legally binding.  In addition the Government is consulting on:

• whether the legal framework should be strengthened, including whether there should be a new criminal offence for picketing and what other enforcement there should be.
• updating the Code of Practice on Picketing to cover social media;
• whether the Code should be broadened to provide guidance on protests linked to industrial disputes and make clearer the rights and remedies for non-striking workers, the public and businesses, as well as pickets.
• a new proposal to improve the transparency and accountability of unions by requiring them to publish their plans of intended action in respect of picketing and protests; and
• a new proposal requiring unions to include in their Annual Report to the Certification Officer details of such activities undertaken during the reporting period.