Firms are urged to act now over strikes

Employment law experts at Ward Hadaway, which has an office in Leeds, said companies needed to start preparing now for the prospect of serious disruption in the autumn.

Harmajinder Hayre, a Leeds-based partner in the employment law team at Ward Hadaway, said: “It is clear from the announcements from trade union leaders that they are serious about leading their members in a programme of sustained industrial action in protest at planned pension reforms.

“The national strike which hit the public sector earlier this year could be just a taste of what is to come later this year and into 2012.

“While these strikes will mainly affect organisations in the public sector, there is likely to be a knock-on effect in the private sector, both in terms of companies supplying the public sector with goods and services and potentially increased militancy amongst unions in the private sector.

“Basically, this is an issue which no employer can afford to ignore.”

Ward Hadaway has organised a workshop designed to help small businesses improve their relationships with trade unions.

The event will feature expert contributions from a former union convenor and European Works Council Representative, as well as input from Ward Hadaway’s specialist Employment Law team and former HR director and workforce expert Michael Coates of Protostar Leadership. The workshop takes place at Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office on November 4. Further details can be found online at www.wardhadaway.com