IDS Study 685, March 2000

Union recognition

• Looks at how and why a number of employers have recently recognised trade unions on a voluntary basis.
• Examines the recognition process in detail and the facilities afforded to union reps as they carry out their new responsibilities.
• Detailed case studies describe the voluntary recognition process at seven organisations.
• Also discusses the statutory right to recognition introduced by the Employment Relations Act 1999.

The Government has now enacted a new statutory procedure on trade union recognition which is expected to take effect after Easter 2000. Subject to certain conditions, where a majority of workers in the relevant bargaining unit are already members, a union is automatically entitled to recognition without a ballot. In the light of this, and for other reasons, some employers are concluding pre-emptive voluntary recognition agreements.

The Study looks at why and how a variety of employers have recently recognised trade unions on a voluntary basis. It examines in detail the recognition process at seven organisations including the arrangements for any ballots held to ascertain the views of the workforce. In each case, we outline the content of the resulting agreement, which tends to reflect a ‘partnership’ approach to employee relations. The mechanisms set up to conduct collective bargaining and the facilities afforded to union representatives are also considered.