Commentary Unfair practices: power to make provision about periods before notice of ballot
113.Section 17 inserts a paragraph 166B into Schedule A1 to the 1992 Act. This paragraph provides an order-making power for the Secretary of State to prohibit employers and unions from using specified unfair practices during a specified period. Paragraph 166B(1) sets out that the Secretary of State may provide by order that employers and unions are prohibited from using practices which are specified as unfair practices in relation to particular kinds of application under Schedule A1. Such an order may also set out a specific period in which this prohibition will apply.
114.Paragraph 166B(2) provides that an order may make provision for the consequences of using a prohibited practice, including provision which modifies the effect of an existing provision of the Schedule which deals with the situation where a prohibited practice is used.
115.Paragraph 166B(3) makes clear that an order by the Secretary of State can confer functions on the CAC.
116.Paragraph 166B(4) sets out that an order may contain provisions which extend either or both the power of Acas under section 199(1) of the 1992 Act, or the power of the Secretary of State under section 203(1)(a) of that Act, to issue Codes of Practice in relation to the provisions laid down in the order.
117.Paragraph 166B(8) provides a definition of the term “specified”, which is to mean specified in an order under this paragraph.