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**ClichéGuevara** · 11-10-2011, 03:52 PM

Any chance anyone in the UK knows what the law (if any) is regarding freedom of association?

**cleef** · 11-10-2011, 04:15 PM

I dont think there is an actual law as such its just a generally accepted right under common law as long as you remain peaceful but it is incoporated in the public order act of 1986 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1986/64) and the anti-social behaviour act 2003 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/38/contents)

How come you ask??

**ClichéGuevara** · 11-10-2011, 04:18 PM

Because I know freedom of association extends to unions, and I'm not allowed to have a union.

Just trying to fight the power is all

**cleef** · 11-10-2011, 04:28 PM

Haha oh right nice one, yeah i've heard about the shitty business practices where you are in regards to unions

http://www.mwr.org.uk/tradeunion.htm

Might be worth getting in contact with these guys??

http://solfed.org.uk/

**1871** · (This post was last modified: 11-10-2011 05:39 PM by 1871.)

I took a former employer to a tribunal with the help of the Union.
The employer lost and had to pay up.

Put simply: if your employer is threatening dismissal if you say you want to form a union then they are behaving ILLEGALLY.

Legally you have every right to join a union. There is no 'I am not allowed to have a Union' about it. You are - and you cannot be dismissed or told that you cannot join a Union.

My advice to you is don't start one yourself but join one that already exists and get your colleagues to do the same. Unions that exist already are ones that as an individual you can join - they don't have to be at your place of work which you as a branch of the Union will be. But they will advise you through the process of forming a workplace union and they will be able to back you up with experts who know the law and will be on your side - so if you need help they will be able to back you up. Employers used to pulling the wool over employees eyes and otherwise threatening or co-ercing employees out of statutory rights invariably back down when they know you have such back up.

With some unions like Unison there is a 13 week rule before they will represent you. In my experience Union membership is worth it even just as a form of advice and having professional backing by experts in the law who can speak on your behalf - thats what they are trained and paid to do. Then you know your employer will think twice about fucking you around.
Its a form of insurance or protection. You pay your subs but it is worth it if you are serious about what you say.