page_title: Collective action in the United Kingdom
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Collective action in the United Kingdom / History
context_page_description: Collective action in the United Kingdom in UK labour law is the main support for collective bargaining. Although the right to strike has attained the status, since 1906, of a fundamental human right, protected in domestic case law, statute, the European Convention on Human Rights and international law, the rules primarily codified in the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992 have generated significant litigation. In order for a group of workers to take strike action, they must,
  hold a ballot of the workforce who will go on strike
  inform the employer of the timing and duration of the strike
  not conduct the industrial action for a purpose unrelated to terms and conditions of the workers' employment contract
  not take industrial action against anyone but the employer of the affected workers
  remain peaceful when conducting picket lines
  The consequence for breach of these rules is that a trade union will be liable for damages to the employer for the cost of the industrial action, and that an injunction may be issued against the industrial action going ahead.
context_section_description: Economic tort
  Taff Vale Railway Co v Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants
  Quinn v Leatham [1901] AC 495
  South West Trains
  Trade Disputes Act 1906
  Torquay Hotels Ltd v Cousins [1968]
  Rookes v Barnard [1964] AC 1129
caption: Strikers gathering in Tyldesley in the 1926 General Strike in the UK
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