Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act

What this bill does

This bill combines three older laws about trade unions and workplace disputes into one comprehensive law. It creates new rules for how trade unions must register and operate, gives some unions exclusive bargaining rights with employers, and sets up new procedures for handling workplace disputes including strikes and lockouts.

If passed (voted YES)

• All trade unions in Bermuda must register with the government within 3 months or face fines, and membership in unregistered unions becomes illegal
• Some unions can gain exclusive rights to negotiate on behalf of all workers at a workplace, even non-union members, through a certification process
• New civil penalties can be imposed for labor law violations, and essential services (like hospitals) face strict restrictions on strikes and lockouts

If rejected (voted NO)

• The current separate laws from 1965, 1975, and 1992 would remain in place with their existing requirements
• Trade union registration and workplace dispute procedures would continue under the older, less comprehensive system
• The proposed civil penalty system and unified tribunal for employment disputes would not be created

Who it affects

This bill primarily affects all workers, employers, and trade unions in Bermuda by changing how unions operate and how workplace disputes are handled. Essential service workers (healthcare, utilities, etc.) face the most restrictions under the new rules.