Decision

Recognition Decision

Updated 20 October 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Case Number: TUR1/1568(2026)

20 October 2026

CENTRAL ARBITRATION COMMITTEE

TRADE UNION AND LABOUR RELATIONS (CONSOLIDATION) ACT 1992

SCHEDULE A1 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: RECOGNITION

DECLARATION OF RECOGNITION

The Parties:

National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)

and

OCS Group UK Limited

1. Introduction

1)       National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) (the Union) submitted an application to the CAC on 8 May 2026 that it should be recognised for collective bargaining by OCS Group UK Limited (the Employer) for a bargaining unit comprising “all non-management cleaning and maintenance employees working on the GTS Elizabeth line contract”. The location of the bargaining unit was given as “all locations.” The CAC gave both parties notice of receipt of the application on 8 May 2026. The Employer submitted a response to the CAC dated 11 May 2026 which was copied to the Union.

2)         In accordance with section 263 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (the Act), the CAC Chair established a Panel to deal with the case. The Panel consisted of Ms Laura Prince K.C., Panel Chair, and, as Members, Mr Rob Lummis and Mr Andy Peart. The Case Manager appointed to support the Panel was Joanne Curtis.

3)         By a decision dated 10 June 2026 the Panel accepted the Union’s application. The parties then entered a period of negotiation in an attempt to reach agreement on the appropriate bargaining unit. By way of an email dated 13 July 2026 to the CAC the parties confirmed that they had reached agreement that the appropriate bargaining unit in this matter was that which was originally proposed by the Union.

4)         On 16 July 2026, the Panel not being satisfied that a majority of the workers constituting the bargaining unit were members of the Union, gave notice in accordance with paragraph 23(2) of the Schedule that it intended to arrange for the holding of a secret ballot in which the workers constituting the bargaining unit would be asked whether they wanted the Union to conduct collective bargaining on their behalf. The parties were advised that the Panel would wait until the end of the notification period,^{[footnote 1]} as specified in paragraphs 24(2) to (7) of the Schedule, before arranging for the holding of a ballot. The parties were also asked for their views on the form the ballot should take.

5)         The notification period described in the preceding paragraph elapsed without the Union, or the Union and the Employer jointly, informing the CAC that a ballot was not required.

6)       In an email to the Case Manager dated 22 July 2026 the Employer stated that its preference was for a postal ballot. In an email dated 22 July 2026 the Union said, its preference was for a postal ballot.

2. The Ballot

7)         On 19 September 2026 Civica was appointed as the Qualified Independent Person (QIP) to conduct the ballot, and the parties were notified accordingly. The postal ballot papers were dispatched on 30 September 2026 to be returned to the QIP by no later than Noon on 15 October 2026.

8)         The QIP reported to the CAC on 16 October 2026 that, of the 91 workers eligible to vote, 34 ballot papers had been returned. 34 workers, that is 100% of those voting, had voted to support the proposal that the Union be recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining with the Employer. 0 workers, that is 0% of those voting, voted to reject the proposal.

9)         The CAC informed the Employer and the Union on 19 October 2026 of the result of the ballot in accordance with paragraph 29(2) of the Schedule.

3. Declaration of Recognition

10)       The ballot establishes that a majority of the workers voting, support the proposal that the Union should be recognised by the Employer for the purpose of conducting collective bargaining in respect of the bargaining unit. This satisfies the conditions under which the CAC must issue a declaration in favour of recognition in accordance with paragraph 29(3) of the Schedule.

11)       The CAC accordingly declares that the Union is recognised by the Employer as entitled to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the bargaining unit comprising “all non-management cleaning and maintenance employees working on the GTS Elizabeth line contract.”

Panel

Ms Laura Prince K.C., Panel Chair

Mr Rob Lummis

Mr Andy Peart

20 October 2026

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1. The “notification period”, in relation to notification by the union, is the period of 10 working days starting with the day on which the union receives the CAC’s notice under paragraph 23(2) or such longer period as the CAC may specify; in relation to notification by the unions and the employer, the period of 10 working days starting with the day on which the last of the parties receives the CAC’s notice or such longer period as the CAC may specify: paragraph 24(5),(6). ↩