All over the world a different kind of labour law is in the process of formation; in Gramsci's phrase, this is an interregnum when the old is dying and the new is struggling to be born. This book, to which an internationally distinguished group of scholars has contributed, examines the future of labour law from a wide variety of perspectives. Issues covered include the ideology of New Labour law; the employment relationship; the public/private divide; termination of employment; equality law; corporate governance; collective bargaining; workers' participation; strikes; international labour standards; the role of EU law; the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; labour law and development in Southern Africa; and the impact of globalisation. The essays are written in honour of the outstanding labour lawyer Professor Sir Bob Hepple QC, who has contributed to so many areas of this dynamic field.

Collective labour law has recently been transformed. The Employment Relations Act 1999 introduced radical reforms,including a procedure for compulsory recognition of trade unions; additional protection for employees dismissed while taking part in industrial action; and changes to industrial action notices and ballots. The use of 'workforce agreements' to determine the scope of workers' rights has been extended and the European Works Councils Directive has been implemented in domestic law. The Human Rights Act 1998 also has important implications for collective labour law. This new book provides a fully comprehensive text which covers all areas of collective labour law, statutory and common law. Relevant international provisions are also highlighted, together with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and other international bodies. Recent developments are examined in their thematic context, so enabling the reader to obtain an integrated analysis of areas such as statutory rights of representation and consultation, industrial action and union governance. Whilst this book is intended for specialist labour lawyers, its treatment of the subject will be accessible to those with no detailed prior knowledge. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of cases - Table of legislation - Table of statutes - Table of codes of practice - Table of EU secondary legislation - Table of treaties 1 Collective Labour Law and Human Rights 2 The Legal Regulation of Trade Unions 3 Trade Unions and Employers 4 Trade Union Recognition and Collective Bargaining 5 Statutory Rights of Collective Representation and Consultation other than Collective Bargaining 6 Industrial Action Appendix 1 - 6