Trade union activities

Union representatives (and members, see below) have a right to time off for certain trade union activities which do not fall within the definition of a trade union duty. That requirement to permit time off during working hours for trade union activities (section 170(1) of Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA)) applies to:

• activities of the union; and

• activities which the employee is taking part in as a representative of the union

This section of the law does not apply to time off for members to act as a union learning rep (ULR, see page 34). That is provided for by section 168A (see page 34) and there is a separate right for members to have access to a ULR (section 170(2B)).