Employers: recognise a trade union
When the union requests recognition
The union must ask you - the employer - in writing if you’ll agree to recognise them voluntarily.
The written request must:
- give the name of the union
- identify which employees will be represented by the union when it’s recognised, sometimes known as the bargaining unit
- state that the union is making the request under Schedule A1 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992
Respond to the request
You have 10 working days to respond to the request.
You can:
- agree to recognise the union voluntarily - and begin collective bargaining
- reject the request - the union may then apply for statutory recognition
- refuse the initial request but agree to negotiate
Negotiate with the union
You have 20 working days, or longer if you agree this with the union, to come to an agreement about:
- which employees are in the bargaining unit
- whether the union should be recognised for collective bargaining
You have 10 days to suggest that the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) are brought in to assist with the negotiations.
What happens next
If you cannot agree, or you’ve agreed the bargaining unit but not recognised the union, the union can apply to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) for statutory recognition.