Derecognise a union
Workers: union loses support
You can apply to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) for a secret ballot on derecognition if you believe the union no longer has the support of the bargaining unit.
You can only apply if both of these are true:
- the union has been recognised for longer than 3 years
- there haven’t been any applications to CAC for derecognition in the previous 3 years
Provide evidence (eg letters supporting your application, workplace surveys) for both of the following:
- at least 10% of the workers in the bargaining unit want the union to be derecognised
- a majority of workers in the bargaining unit are likely vote for derecognition
Send the completed form and your evidence to both the union and the CAC.
Central Arbitration Committee
PO Box 78137
London
SW1P 9XE
What happens next
CAC has 10 working days to consider your application.
You may be asked to attend a hearing if CAC needs information to support your application, eg evidence of levels of union support.
Your application will either be:
- rejected and the union will continue to represent the bargaining unit
- accepted and you’ll enter a negotiation period of 20 working days
Taking part in negotiations
CAC will try to help everyone involved reach an agreement. They may extend the 20-day negotiation period if everyone agrees.
The outcome of the negotiations will be one of the following:
- you withdraw your application and the union continues to represent the bargaining unit
- the union agrees to end the arrangements and is derecognised
- no agreement is reached and CAC arranges a secret ballot