The Government says it wants to promote partnerships in the workplace and put an end to "them and us" confrontations between workers and bosses. However, the inspiration for its new Employee Relations Act comes from the United States, where union-management relations are seldom a model of partnership and co-operation.

The new law provides for workers' ballots on union representation. If their employees vote in favour, the company must negotiate pay and conditions through the union. Critics of the idea say it will promote as much discord as harmony and already American-based "union-busters" are offering their services to British companies who want to keep the unions out. Gerry Northam investigates the impact of the Government's new industrial relations law.
(Repeated Sunday 5pm)