Fairness at work : a critical analysis of the Employment Relations Act 1999 and its treatment of "collective rights"

From the White Paper on Fairness at Work, it seemed that the enhanced protection of "collective rights" was central to New Labour's industrial relations settlement.

Reforms were promised relating to diverse matters such as blacklisting, discrimination against trade union members, trade union recognition and industrial action.This work examines the rhetorical claims made in the White Paper (and later in Parliament) alongside the actual reforms contained in the Employment Relations Act 1999.

It studies these developments in their broader context, including Britain's recent industrial relations history and the perceived need to find a "third way" which navigates between pre-existing Labour and Conservative ideologies.

The pressures placed on British policies by international and European organizations are considered as are the other social, political and economic dynamics which shaped the Government's policies.

A detailed account of the new statutory provisions is provided, together with an analysis of their potential impact.