Hi, I'm Mrs. Allchin, and I'm going to be taking you through this Citizenship lesson today.

I'm going to give you all the information that you need to be successful and I'm also going to pause and tell you when to complete a check for understanding or a task.

Hope you enjoy the lesson.

This lesson is called "How have trade unions played a part in the legal system?" and it's taken from the unit of work, How can we play a part in the legal system? By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to explain the relationship between trade unions and government and the impact they have had on legislation.

These are our keywords for today.

We've got trade union, which is a group of workers in the same trade or profession who have joined together to protect their rights.

We've got legislation, which is a law or a set of laws that have been passed by Parliament.

The word is also used to describe the act of making a new law.

And we've got bargaining, which is negotiating to improve workers' pay, hours, and conditions.

Our lesson outline for today is first we're going to have a look at how do trade unions link to legislation, and then we're going to have a look at how have trade unions impacted legislation.

So we'll start by looking at how they link, so how do trade unions link to legislation? So first of all, Izzy is asking us, "What are trade unions?" So pause while you have a think about this question.

Do you know about trade unions? What can you remember about trade unions? So trade unions are organisations that employees can join, and they provide collective representation to ensure rights are met in relation to issues such as pay and working conditions.

So when you are older and you start working and you start a job, you might be asked whether or not you want to join your trade union.

And if you join that trade union, you are a part of a much wider organisation that all work together to ensure that people have rights in the workplace.

Trade unions have their power in numbers as this means that they can collectively negotiate with employers when working rights are being violated and that strengthens their bargaining power, that strengthens their ability to be able to negotiate.

Trade unions support at an individual level.

So they advocate for employees who have had a rights issue at work, and this is done via union representatives who are volunteers, who represent trade unions at an organisational level.

So if an individual was having a problem at work that was relating to their rights, they weren't having their rights met, their rights were being violated, the trade union representative within that organisation would work with them one-to-one and support them.

But they also support at a national level as a collective, so all together, all of those union members together because they take part in bargaining, which is negotiating with decision makers on employment matters that will impact all employers as a collective and therefore all employees as a collective too.

And at a national level, trade unions can even impact legislations, they can even have an impact on the law.

So let's have a look at some examples.

So Blessing is saying, "My employer tried to change my working pattern, which would have made childcare impossible.

My union representative advocated for me to support my rights." So that's an example there of someone that potentially something's happened at work that goes against their contract, that goes against their rights, and they were given support and offered support at a one-to-one level through their union representative.

Whereas Clive is saying, "I'm a lecturer.

The union I am in coordinated collective bargaining at a national level to address issues with pay and working conditions." So Clive is a university lecturer and he's saying that actually the union that he's a part of work together as a collective to address more of a national need or a national concern.

The legislature is one of the law-making bodies in the UK, and it's made up of parliament, with the government playing a key role in driving law and policy as mandate.

And there is a clear relationship between the government and trade unions.

And this relationship has existed for over a hundred years and it's evolved over time as well.

So that relationship has changed over time.

This relationship has included times of collaboration and it's included times of conflict.

Although government have the power to regulate trade union activities, so ultimately say what they can and can't do, trade unions also have the power to be very influential with government due to the bargaining tactics that they may use.

Let's have a check for understanding.

What are the missing words? There is a clear something between the something and trade unions.

This relationship has existed for over a hundred years and has something over time.

Pause while you have a go at this.

Let's see if you worked out those missing words.

So there is a clear relationship between the government and trade unions.

This relationship has existed for over a hundred years and has evolved over time.

A history of the relationship between trade unions and legislation is as follows.

So let's have a look at some quite significant periods of time between that relationship with trade unions and the government and therefore legislation.

So in 1871 there was the Trade Union Act.

So the prime minister at the time, William Gladstone, his government granted legal recognition to trade unions.

They were recognised within legislation, and that allowed them to exist and operate without being prosecuted.

So 1871 was a huge landmark date for trade unions, and they're linked to legislation.

We then had in 1900 the formation of the Labour Party, and trade unions helped establish the Labour Party to represent workers' rights within politics and therefore legislation.

So trade unions and the Labour Party, quite a historical relationship.

Then in the 1970s we saw a real strong union influence.

Unions have lots and lots of power, they have significant power, and that led to widespread strikes, that's when workers do not go into work until their demands have been listened to or met, and lots of government negotiations over things such as wages and working conditions.

So in the 1970s, lots and lots of strike action, lots and lots of trade union power.

So Izzy's asking, "What did a strong union influence actually look like?" So during that time period, what did that actually look like? So during the 1970s, trade unions in the UK were at the height of their power, with millions of workers striking for better wages and conditions.

The government often had to negotiate with unions to prevent widespread disruption, because if people aren't going to work, that is going to cause lots and lots of disruption in society.

Public sector workers, including refuse collectors, so people that collect rubbish ultimately, you know, empty the bins on the streets, NHS staff, so people working within medicine, transport workers, all went on strike, causing severe disruption.

There were even workers that dug graves in Liverpool also went on strike.

So they also stopped working, which actually led to burials having to be paused.

So as you can see, it was at the period where trade unions had lots of strength, and as a result there was lots and lots going on in society, lots of upheaval.

Let's carry on looking at our dates.

So in the next decade in the 1980s, there was lots and lots of restrictions to trade unions, and that was under Margaret Thatcher, the then prime minister and the Conservative government because they introduced laws that actually limited union power, including stricter strike regulations.

So it made it stricter for workers to be able to go on strike.

Then we're going to jump ahead to 2016 where there was the Trade Union Act and the Conservative government introduces new rules at this time requiring higher thresholds for strike ballots and imposing stricter regulations on industrial action.

So again there, a change in that relationship between trade unions and the government.

And then looking at today, now there's ongoing advocacy.

So trade unions continue to lobby the government for employment rights, fair wages, and better working conditions, for example, in response to issues like public sector pay.

So we've already had a look at what trade union power looked like.

So now Izzy's asking, "What did trade union restrictions look like?" So what did it look like when that was happening? So when Margaret Thatcher became prime minister in 1979, her Conservative government aimed to limit the disruption that strikes were causing to the country and therefore several laws were introduced to restrict strikes and union activities.

The government sought to reduce union influence in industries like coal mining, steel, and transport.

And this led to the miners' strike of 1984 to 1985.

During this time, many miners were angry because the government, led by Margaret Thatcher, planned to close unprofitable coal mines, and this threatened thousands of jobs and entire mining communities.

Many miners believed the closures were not just about money, but a way to weaken trade unions, especially the powerful National Union of Mineworkers, the NUM.

The miners went on strike for over a year between 1984 and 1985, refusing to work in protest, but the government refused to negotiate, insisting the mines were too expensive to keep open.

There were violent clashes between miners and police, and after a year, miners had to return to work without winning any changes.

And this highlights historical and current relationships that trade unions have had with government and therefore the links that they have with legislation.

These events highlight periods where unions have exerted power over government, but also when government has sought back control, both via legislation.

By joining a trade union, citizens can be a part of this relationship and have their say on how trade unions should bargain with government to impact legislation that will influence rights in the workplace.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of these dates was a moment of collaboration and which was a moment of conflict? So we've got the 1871 Trade Union Act and the 1980s with Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government.

So which was a moment of collaboration and which was a moment of conflict? So 1871 Trade Union Act was a moment of collaboration, whereas in the 1980s was a moment of conflict.

Why? Can you tell me why? So the 1871 Trade Union Act was a time of collaboration as it recognised the work of trade unions within law, whereas Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government was a time of conflict as it restricted the power of trade unions.

For Task A, I'd like you to explain how trade unions are linked to legislation.

In your answer, include how their relationship with government has included both collaboration and conflict.

When explaining how trade unions are linked to legislation, you may have included: trade unions are linked to legislation because they create a direct link with government, who have mandate to create legislation.

Sometimes they are supported by legislation, like when the Trade Union Act was created, recognising trade unions through legislation.

But they also clash with the government, especially when laws limit their power, such as during the miners' strike of 1984 to 85.

The government refused to negotiate, and after the strike, new laws made it harder for unions to organise strikes.

This shows that trade unions and the government have had both collaboration and conflict over time, leading to legislation that has both supported and challenged the work of trade unions.

So we've had a look at how trade unions link to legislation.

Now we're going to have a look at some more specific examples of how trade unions have impacted legislation.

So trade unions have legal rights, for example, the right to organise collective bargaining with its members, for example, a strike, and also to negotiate for better pay and working conditions.

The ability for trade unions to impact on legislation began with the Trade Union Act in 1871, which we've looked at, and it's continued ever since, although new laws have limited what unions can and cannot do.

Their legal existence has remained though and they continue to impact laws relating to employment in the UK.

So Laura's asking, "But are there any specific examples where trade unions have impacted the law?" So why don't you pause and have a think about that for yourself.

Can you think of any laws, especially laws that relate to employment where trade unions might have had an impact? Yes, there are.

There are laws that exist today that impact millions of workers that were influenced by trade unions.

For example, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the National Minimum Wage Act from 1998, and the Equality Act 2010.

So these three laws we're going to look at in more detail because all of these were impacted heavily by trade unions.

Let's start by looking at the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

So this legislation was introduced to make workplaces safer for employees by requiring employers, so their bosses, to follow strict health and safety rules and procedures.

So before this law existed, actually there was quite a lot of dangers that could take place within the workplace.

So this was really important for workers' rights because it made sure that workers had the right to be safe within the workplace.

This law also led to the creation of the Health and Safety Executive, the HSE, which is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety.

They aim to protect workers but also provide public assurance by carrying out inspections, that might be going into a workplace, especially a workplace where there are some dangers and making sure that health and safety procedures and laws were being followed.

They offer guidance to workplaces to ensure that they can keep their workers safe and they also promote safety within the workplace.

We also have the National Minimum Wage Act from 1998, and this legislation introduced a legal minimum wage to stop employees from being exploited.

It ensures all workers receive a basic level of pay, which rises as the cost of living increases.

So this doesn't mean that every single worker gets paid this amount, but this is the minimum amount that an employer can pay their employee.

Trade unions had campaigned for fair wages for many years, and the Labour government introduced this law in 1998.

And unions supported its implementation by making sure that the law was being followed.

We also have the Equality Act from 2010, and this legislation protects people from discrimination at work and in wider society.

Like with fair wages, unions had been campaigning to tackle discrimination in the workplace for many years.

For example, the Ford Dagenham women's strike in 1968, where female sewing machinists protested against being paid less than men.

This legislation makes it illegal for employers to discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, or belief, sex and sexual orientation, hugely protecting citizens' rights in the workplace.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Can you match the workplace issue with the legislation that seeks to address it? We've got a person not being appointed due to being a wheelchair user, a workplace not providing adequate bathroom facilities for its staff, and an employer paying their employee 25 pounds for a full day's work.

You need to match each of them to either the Health and Safety at Work Act, the National Minimum Wage Act, or the Equality Act.

Pause while you have a go at this check for understanding.

Let's see how you got on.

So a person not being appointed due to being a wheelchair user, that would go against the Equality Act 2010.

So it's the Equality Act that seeks to address this type of discrimination within the workplace.

A workplace not providing adequate bathroom facilities for its staff, that would be the Health and Safety at Work Act because that would come under basic health, workers not being able to keep themselves clean and meet hygiene measures within the workplace.

We've then got an employer paying their employee 25 pounds for a full day's work.

And again, the legislation that seeks to address that type of exploitation would be the National Minimum Wage Act 1998.

Let's have a bit more of a detailed look at how this could look in practise.

So when trade unions have impacted this legislation, what that actually means for citizens.

So Lydia is saying, "When I was not offered an interview for promotion, even though I was more than qualified, I was sure it was due to me being pregnant.

My union supported me in challenging this decision." So in a case like Lydia's, she might have believed that actually because she was pregnant, she was being kind of overlooked or turned down for potential promotions at her place of work.

If she had grounds to believe that, that is something that her union would be able to look into.

And it's got law to protect that because you've got the Equality Act that would protect Lydia in this case.

Let's see what Ryan is going to say.

So Ryan is saying, "My employer must pay me at least 12 pounds 21 per hour.

It's such a relief." So again, that's just somebody talking there about knowing that if they were to get a job, that is the least that they could expect to be paid.

And again, this is something that has been supported through legislation through the Minimum Pay Act.

We've then got Blessing saying, "I work in construction, and my employer must provide steel toe capped boots and a hard hat for me to wear." So the health and safety at work legislation that trade union supported with would make sure that this happens.

So if somebody works in a job where potentially it is dangerous, so in Blessing's case, if she works somewhere where there's heavy machinery and things that could potentially fall on her head or fall on her feet to hurt her, by law, her boss must provide her with safety equipment such as in this case, boots and a hat.

Let's have a check for understanding.

So what legislation has made these things happen? And I have mentioned these in the last slide, so see if you can remember.

So we've got Lydia saying, "I faced pregnancy discrimination but got support." Ryan who's saying, "I get paid at least 12 pounds 21 per hour." And Blessing who's saying, "I'm provided with safety equipment." So pause while you try and remember the legislation that links to each of these workers.

So Lydia, saying, "I faced pregnancy discrimination but got support," she would've been supported by the Equality Act 2010.

Ryan saying, "I get paid at least 12 pounds 21 per hour," would be protected by the National Minimum Wage Act 1998.

And Blessing saying that she's provided with safety equipment would be protected by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Although trade unions have already had a significant impact on employment legislation, they are still bargaining with government to implement more laws to further strengthen workers' rights.

So an example of this relates to the minimum wage.

Although this legislation was a positive step for employees, unions feel it is not high enough and does not match the rising cost of living.

Some trade unions are asking the government to create a national living wage, which is higher and more in line with rising cost of food, bills, and other necessities.

Similarly, although the Health and Safety at Work Act was another positive piece of legislation, trade unions now want to see this strengthened to better support employees' mental health in the workplace.

For example, the Unite Wales Disabled Members committee have worked in partnership with the Wales Trade Union Congress to produce a guide around mental health in the workplace.

They also lobby government for improved mental health policy and legislation.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Outline two ways in which trade unions are currently trying to improve workplace legislation.

They're currently trying to improve workplace legislation by trying to increase the minimum wage to a living wage that is more in line with the cost of living and also by lobbying for improved mental health policies and legislation within the workplace.

For Task B, I'd like you to explain how trade unions have impacted legislation.

Your answer should refer to both existing law and laws that trade unions are hopeful will change in the near future.

When explaining how trade unions have impacted legislation both in the past and how they continue to try and impact now, you may have included: trade unions have played an important role in strengthening legislation so that citizens are better supported and protected in the workplace.

These laws include recognition and protection in relation to equality, fair pay, and safe working conditions, e.

g.

by ensuring employers provide safety equipment to their employees if needed.

Trade unions continue to lobby government for improvements to legislation that protects workers' rights today, such as increasing the national minimum wage to be in line with the cost of living and improving workplace policies that support workers' mental health.

In summary of the lesson "How have trade unions played a part in the legal system?", trade unions are a group of workers in the same trade or profession who've joined together to protect their rights.

And they do this by using collective bargaining to try and improve workplace pay and conditions.

There is a clear relationship between trade unions and the government, and this has changed over time.

For example, the relationship was collaborative in 1871 with the creation of the Trade Union Act, but there was some conflict during the Conservative government in the 1980s.

Trade unions have heavily influenced legislation in the workplace by lobbying for a minimum wage, equality, and health and safety laws.

This continues today with unions continuing to push for improved legislation.

That brings us to the end of today's lesson.

Well done for all your hard work, and I hope that you'll come to some more Citizenship lessons in the future.