UK Unions May Get Opportunity to Take Paid Time to Volunteer for Union

The United Kingdom’s Conservative Party recently announced its election pledge to give workers three days paid volunteer leave each year. The Trades Union Congress (TUC), a British organization with 51 unions that negotiates on behalf of unions in Europe, expressed its support for this campaign pledge, but with a sales pitch for unions. The TUC characterized unions as “the UK’s biggest voluntary groups” and applauded the opportunity for union members to spend their three days of volunteer leave getting involved with union activities. Unions in the U.S. would give almost anything for an opportunity to engage in such “volunteer work.” Employers, I imagine, would not be so amused for their employees to have days-off specifically devoted to union organizing, agitating, and solidarity.

Matt Austin is a lawyer based in the Columbus, Ohio office of Roetzel & Andress, LPA who limits his practice to representing employers dealing with labor, employment, and OSHA matters. You can call Matt at (614) 723-2010 or email him at maustin@ralaw.com.