Recognition Decision
Updated 8 June 2026
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2026
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Case Number: TUR1/1520(2026)
8 June 2026
CENTRAL ARBITRATION COMMITTEE
TRADE UNION AND LABOUR RELATIONS (CONSOLIDATION) ACT 1992
SCHEDULE A1 - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: RECOGNITION
DECLARATION THAT THE UNION IS NOT ENTITLED TO BE RECOGNISED
The Parties:
Unite the Union
and
Natures Grub Limited
1. Introduction
1) Unite the Union (the Union) submitted an application to the CAC on 22 January 2026 that it should be recognised for collective bargaining by Natures Grub Limited (the Employer) for a bargaining unit comprising of “All employees at Natures Grub Limited up to and including supervisors”. The CAC gave both parties notice of receipt of the application on 22 January 2026. The Employer submitted a response to the CAC dated 27 January 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 Richard Fulham and Mr Paul Moloney. The Case Manager appointed to support the Panel was Kaniza Bibi.
3) By a decision dated 27 February 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. In an email dated 5 March 2026 the Employer confirmed it agreed with the proposed bargaining unit.
4) On 9 March 2026, the Panel, satisfied that a majority of the workers constituting the bargaining unit were not 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 Panel also advised the parties that it would wait until the end of the notification period of ten working days, as specified in paragraph 24(5), before arranging a secret ballot.
5) The notification period under paragraph 24(5) of the Schedule ended on 20 March 2026. The CAC was not notified by both the parties that they did want a ballot to be held, as per paragraph 24(2). The parties were also asked for their views on the form the ballot should take place.
6) The parties proposed two different forms of balloting for the Panel’s consideration. The Employer sought a workplace ballot, while the Union contended that a postal ballot would be more appropriate. The Panel considered carefully both requests put by the parties and concluded in a decision dated 18 March 2026 the appropriate form of ballot in this matter was a postal ballot and the parties were notified accordingly. The Panel directed that Civica Election Services Limited should be appointed as the Qualified Independent Person (QIP) to conduct the ballot.
2. The Ballot
7) Civica Election Services Limited was appointed as QIP on 27 April 2026 conduct the ballot and the parties were notified accordingly. The postal ballot papers were despatched on 13 May 2026, to be returned by no later than noon 27 May 2026, the day that the ballot closed.
8) The QIP reported to the CAC on 28 May 2026 that out of 39 workers eligible to vote, 29 ballot papers had been returned, no ballot papers were found to be spoilt. Twenty-two workers, that is 75.9% of those voting, had voted to reject the proposal that the Union be recognised for the purposes of collective bargaining. The number of votes supporting the proposal as a percentage of the bargaining unit was 18.4%.
9) The CAC informed the Employer and the Union on 29 April 2026 of the result of the ballot in accordance with paragraph 29(2) of the Schedule.
3. Declaration that the Union is not entitled to be recognised
10) The ballot establishes that recognition of the Union is not supported by a majority of the workers voting. In accordance with paragraph 29(4) of the Schedule, the CAC declares that the Union is not recognised by the Employer as entitled to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the bargaining unit.
Panel
Ms Laura Prince K.C., Panel Chair
Mr Richard Fulham
Mr Paul Moloney
8 June 2026