Members’ rights to time off

[ch 3: page 28]

All members of recognised unions, not just their representatives, have the right to reasonable time off without pay to take part in trade union activities, except for industrial action (TULRCA, section 170). They also have a separate right to access union learning. While there is no legal obligation to pay for time off for trade union activities, the Acas Code points out, there will be circumstances where employers will want to consider paying workers for attendance at meetings.

Examples of trade union activities for which union members should have the right to time off (paragraph 37):

• attending workplace meetings to discuss and vote on the outcome of negotiations with the employer – where relevant and with the employer’s agreement this can include attending such workplace meetings at the employer’s neighbouring locations;

• meeting full-time officers to discuss issues relevant to the workplace;

• voting in union elections; and

• having access to services provided by a ULR (see page 35).