The government has now “put before Parliament” the regulations to implement the Employment Rights Act (ERA) changes on union ballotting, which at present must, by law, be by post.
From about August 2026: electronic and hybrid (postal-electronic) voting will become available for industrial action ballots, political fund/resolution ballots, union elections, and union merger ballots. Workplace (in-person) voting will also be available for industrial action ballots... but only if the boss agrees.
Abolition of the 50% turnout threshold for industrial action ballots is also expected “some time after August”.
In 2027 electronic and hybrid voting will be extended to recognition and derecognition ballots.
A “Senior Oversight Board” is planned (no date).
Bosses have been pushing hard to delay and limit ERA changes in many areas.Solidarity seeks to make unions campaign publicly for speedy and full implementation, and for an “ERA 2” to fix the gaps in “ERA 1”, especially on collective bargaining rights and on curbing zero-hours contracts.
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