The Labor government earlier this year eased collective-bargaining rules. Since
April 6, after a worker-rights package lowered the threshold for recognition
applications, unions have lodged 70 cases with the Central Arbitration Committee
seeking formal bargaining rights at UK employers. That is more than double the
number in the same period in 2025 and exceeds any comparable period since at
least 2015. The cases filed over the past five months surpassed the full-year
totals in most years of the past decade. Where employers refuse voluntary
recognition, unions may apply to the CAC. Employers fear the change could revive
1970s–80s-style bargaining, increasing negotiation workloads and strike-related
Productivity risks, says Andrew Moore, employment partner at Addleshaw Goddard.
