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Open Require trade unions to ballot members within 2 weeks of public sector pay offer

Created by Mark Baker
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Legislate to require trade unions to ballot their members on whether to accept or reject a formal public pay offer within 2 weeks of receipt. If rejected, any subsequent industrial action ballots must also be initiated, conducted, and concluded within a strict 2-week timeframe.

Prolonged delays in union balloting leave workers waiting months for back pay settlements and create unnecessary operational uncertainty. For example, following the April 2026 NJC pay offer, some unions over 3 months to run strike ballots.

Enforcing a mandatory two-week window for consultative pay ballots and strike ballots could modernise dispute resolution, empower members, and prevent drawn-out pay freezes.

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    This petition will stay open until 15 April 2027.