A Bill to amend section 232B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 to extend the circumstances in which, by virtue of that section, industrial action is not to be treated as excluded from the protection of section 219 of that Act.
The Bill proposes reducing regulatory burdens on trade unions in relation to the balloting and notice requirements for lawful industrial action. It would extend the provision for small accidental errors contained in section 232B of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The burden of proof in applications by an employer to restrain strike action by injunction would be changed, so that the employer would have to show that the union has failed to achieve 'substantial compliance' with the ballot and notice requirements.
House of Commons
John McDonnellLabour (Co-op)
1 May 2012
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The bill would make it easier for trade unions to carry out lawful industrial action by relaxing rules around ballots and notices for strikes. It broadens the small-errors protection in the 1992 Act and changes how injunctions are decided, so employers must show the union did not substantially comply with ballot and notice requirements to block action.
The bill is at the 2nd reading in the House of Commons. It has completed the 1st reading and is in the early stages of consideration; further stages would follow if it progresses.
Generated 21 February 2026
30 Jun 2010
22 Oct 2010
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
