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Industrial Disputes: Trade Unions

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 30 April 2025UIN 46764

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether (a) public and (b) private sector employees can suspend (i) check off and (ii) facility time for trade unions during industrial action.

Answered by Justin Madders

It is for individual employers and trade unions to agree on appropriate approaches during industrial action. The government encourages employers to work constructively with workers and representatives to resolve disputes.

Public and private sector employers may be able to suspend check-off and facility time while employees take industrial action, depending on the legal status of those arrangements – particularly whether they are contractually guaranteed.

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