That Act: some now, more later
Page 19
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THE FIRST sections of the 1980 Employment Act are now operative, and the remainder will become effective on October 1.
The enabling powers for secret ballot schemes and the Employment Secretary's issue of codes of practice are already effective, as are sections dealing with dismissal relating to trade union membership, repeal of the "recognition" provisions in sections 11-16 of the 1975 Employment Protection Act.
Schedule 11 of that Act, whereby employees could claim wages parity, has also been repealed. It was under that Schedule that National Freight Corporation was able to get around the Labour Government's pay freeze in 1978 /79, and pay its drivers the same rate as those in the private sector.
On September 8, the sections dealing with unreasonable exclusion or expulsion from a trade union, compensation, contribution in respect of compensation, action short of dismissal relating to trade union membership and activities, picketing, secondary action, and acts to compel trade union membership will take effect.
Sections dealing with secret ballots on employers' premises, determination of fairness of dismissal, qualifying period for unfair dismissal complaints, basic award for unfair dismissal, iotices to employer regarding maternity leave, changes to the right to return from maternity eave, time off for ante-natal :are, and guarantee payments take effect from October 1.