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Several months since the Trade Union Act 2016 has come into force, Wrigley Claydon looks into some of the key changes. We have highlighted some of the key aspects of the Act, which are as follows:

1. Before companies and industrial action can take place, 50% of members need to vote
2. Trade Unions will need to give two week’s notice before they start a strike
3. For public sector employees, there is a restriction on deduction of Union subscriptions direct from their salary. What this means in principle, is that Union subscriptions will no longer be removed automatically from wages – employees will physically need to arrange payment of their subscriptions.
4. The Act restricts Union’s abilities to contribute to political causes.

What does the Trade Union Act 2016 mean for your business?

In many industries there is no Union representation for employees. As an employer, if your employees are not part of a Union, there is nothing forcing you to make them join one. If none of your employees are part of a Union, then this Act does not directly affect you. If you employ some staff that are Union members or all of your staff are part of a Union, then this legislation strengthens an employer’s position. It makes it more difficult for Unions to strike.

If you require any further advice on Trade Union Act 2016 and how it might affect your business, or any other employment issue, please do not hesitate to contact our employment department who will be more than happy to assist you. John Porter, Head of Employment, can be contacted directly on 0161 624 6811 or by emailing jap@wrigleyclaydon.com.

Lloyds Banking Group has set aside another £1bn to cover the cost of insurance mis-selling and the treatment of mortgage customers.

Another £700m will cover payment protection insurance (PPI) claims and £283m will be used to repay about 590,000 mortgage holders.

The repayment to mortgage customers comes after they were charged from 2009 to 2016 for going into arrears.

The Financial Conduct Authority had been investigating the issue, concluding that the charges should not have been applied as the bank did not always do enough to understand customers’ circumstances and check that their arrears payment plans were affordable and sustainable.

Lloyds will refund all fees charged for arrears management and broken payment arrangements, and it will also pay any litigation fees that were applied unfairly to customers who were involved in related legal action.

In addition, it will also offer payments for potential distress and inconvenience.

Company solicitors

If you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice please contact our company solicitors.

Call 0161 624 6811 to speak to John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.

Summer fruit and salad growers in the UK are having difficulty recruiting pickers saying they don’t know if they will have enough migrant workers to harvest their crops.

About 80,000 seasonal workers a year pick and process British fruit and veg, most of them are from the EU, mainly Romania and Bulgaria.

British Summer Fruits, the body which represents soft fruit growers, says labour shortages are now the worst seen since 2004.

The weak pound which has reduced their workers’ earning power, as well as uncertainty over Brexit is being blamed.

Employment solicitors

If you are experiencing difficulties within your business, whether staffing matters, contractual issues or you are considering a company merger, acquisition, takeover or joint venture or are in the midst of a shareholder dispute or share capital transaction or need business advice, please contact us.

Call 0161 785 3573 to speak to John Porter and Soibi Iketubosin in our Company/Commercial Department or email jap@wrigleyclaydon.com or si@wrigleyclaydon.com.