Meta has reached a deal with the Prospect union, allowing the union to speak directly with all 5,000 of its UK employees about union membership. This agreement comes as companies prepare for new rules under the Employment Rights Act 2025, which will require employers to provide more access to unions in workplaces. The new rules are set to take effect on 30 October 2026, and the agreement with Meta is seen as a proactive step to comply with these upcoming regulations. Under the deal, Prospect will have the opportunity to inform Meta workers about the benefits of joining a union and recruit new members. Meta’s spokesperson emphasized that the company is committed to transparency and that its industrial relations team already collaborates with employee representative groups in various countries. The company’s approach to this agreement aligns with its existing practices, ensuring that employees who are interested in learning more about union membership have a clear and straightforward way to do so. The Employment Rights Act 2025 includes several key reforms aimed at strengthening workers' rights. Earlier reforms, which began in February of this year, have already changed how unions and employers interact. The upcoming changes, effective in October, will require employers to inform workers of their right to join a union, give unions greater access to workplaces, offer more protections to union representatives, and ensure workers are protected when engaging in industrial action. Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, praised Meta for voluntarily entering into the agreement, stating that the company’s willingness to engage with the union sends a positive signal to employees. Prospect currently represents over 160,000 UK workers across various sectors, including technology, broadcasting, and education. Union membership in the UK has been steadily declining over the past few decades. In 1995, nearly 28.8% of workers were union members, but by 2025, that number had dropped to 19.9%, a historic low. However, with the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill, union membership rose slightly to 20.4% in 2025, possibly due to increased awareness ahead of the new regulations. Factors contributing to the decline include the UK’s economic shift away from traditional union-heavy industries, anti-union policies introduced in the 1990s, and changes in labor laws that reduced the need for union involvement in negotiating wages or organizing strikes. Looking ahead, concerns about AI and job displacement may further influence union membership trends in the coming years.