Decision

Recognition Decision

Updated 4 September 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Case Number: TUR1/1557(2026)

3 September 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

Premier Rail Services Limited

1. Introduction

1)       National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) (the Union) submitted an application to the CAC on 22 April 2026 that it should be recognised for collective bargaining by Premier Rail Services Limited (the Employer) for a bargaining unit comprising “all General Operatives, Multi-Skilled Operatives, Team Leaders and Supervisors.” The location of the bargaining unit was given as “all locations.” The CAC gave both parties notice of receipt of the application on 27 April 2026. The Employer submitted a response to the CAC dated 4 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 Naeema Choudry, Panel Chair, and, as Members, Mr Mark Pennifold and Mr Morris Stemp. The Case Manager appointed to support the Panel was Joanne Curtis.

3)         By a decision dated 11 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 22 June 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 29 June 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 3 July 2026 the Employer stated that its preference was for a postal ballot. In an email to the Case Manager dated 7 July 2026 the Union stated that its preference was for a postal ballot.

2. The Ballot

7)         On 3 August 2026 Mi-Voice 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 18 August 2026 to be returned to the QIP by no later than Noon on 28 August 2026.

8)         The QIP reported to the CAC on 28 August 2026 that, of the 54 workers eligible to vote, 26 ballot papers had been returned. 22 workers, that is 84.6% of those voting, had voted to support the proposal that the Union be recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining with the Employer. 4 workers, that is 15.4% of those voting, voted to reject the proposal. 

9)         The CAC informed the Employer and the Union on 1 September 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 General Operatives, Multi-Skilled Operatives, Team Leaders and Supervisors.”

Panel

Ms Naeema Choudry, Panel Chair

Mr Mark Pennifold

Mr Morris Stemp

3 September 2026

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). ↩