No. 571 (C. 39) The Employment Relations (2004 Order) (Commencement No.4 and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2005
This is the final implementation order for the Employment Relations (NI) Order 2004 and essentially it brings into effect, as of 8/1/06 the remaining matters not implemented by the previous three commencement orders.
This Order brings into effect matters pertaining to; employers duties relevant to trade union recognition ballots in relation to notifications by the Industrial Court relating to ballots and access to workers, employers having to refrain from making offers to employees to not attend meetings with the union regarding recognition, the employer must not take or threaten to take action against a worker because he/she has or intends to take part in a meeting regarding recognition. The order also outlaws unfair practices in relation to the recognition (and mirroring provisions for de-recognition) ballot such as incentives for voting a particular way, coercion or threats regarding discipline or dismissal and complaints to the Industrial Court. The Order also specifies the information to be contained on the ballot notice to an employer in advance of industrial action in terms of - lists of categories of employees, their workplaces, figures relating to numbers in each category and at each workplace by reference to check off arrangements.