Legal restrictions on strike action: The procedures for calling a legal strike are long and very technical. Unions must give notice to the employer of the intention to hold a ballot, of the results of the ballot, and of the intention to strike. An employer can seek an injunction against a union before a strike has even begun if the union fails to properly observe any of these steps. Political and solidarity strikes are prohibited.

Legal amendments: On 25 March 2013, the House of Lords debated the amendment of the Crime and Courts Bill which would prevent over 3,000 civil servants working for the National Crime Agency from taking strike action in the future.

Anti-union discrimination: In February 2013, the Metropolitan Police announced that it would carry out a major investigation with respect to allegations that the police colluded with the blacklisting of construction workers. The investigation is to be supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The decision to hold the investigation follows mounting evidence that both the police and the security forces were involved in the blacklisting of construction workers via the Consulting Association.

In January 2013, the government announced that it will introduce further limits to compensation for unfair dismissal.

Interference in collective bargaining: In January 2013, the University of Exeter offered a 2 per cent pay increase but only if staff agreed to withdraw from national pay bargaining.

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