The CIPD has released a new guide on working with trade unions, which provides practical advice for building productive working relationships with unions.

The recent rise in industrial action demonstrates now more than ever how important it is for organisations and people professionals to work effectively with trade unions. Strike action has disrupted everything from train services to postal deliveries and hospital care, and more action is set to take place in the coming weeks with teachers voting to strike and further rail strikes planned.

The historical decline in trade union membership means that many people professionals have little experience of working with trade unions. This guide aims to equip people professionals with recommendations on building strong relationships and negotiating productively with trade unions.

The guide stresses the important areas where an organisation should recognise that individuals have a legal right to be collectively consulted in various employment situations such as collective redundancies, transfers of business ownership, pension scheme changes and health and safety at work.

It's reported that recent strike action has seen the highest number of working days lost in ten years and with further action planned, people professionals and organisations will be at the heart of negotiations and action.

The guide gives six top tips for managing relationships with trade unions:

1. Treat unions as a key stakeholder in your business, with a legitimate viewpoint and interests.
2. Seek to understand their viewpoint – consider the cultural, historical and business reasons why a proposal might not be welcomed.
3. Separate strategy from tactics (both from a business and a trade union perspective).
4. Be willing to negotiate and compromise to achieve your strategy.
5. Don’t allow emotion to cloud your judgement (especially in a dispute).
6. Develop informal and trustworthy relationships with trade union representatives.