Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service: Recognition of Trade Unions: Reports...

Final reports published by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on issues concerning the recognition of trade unions by employers, together with certain registered files of some of the more important or noteworthy cases, consisting of the trade unions' references to ACAS, departmental papers (including correspondence and questionnaires) and draft reports.

The files of cases which reached the final report stage are arranged in report number order and are followed by cases which did not result in a final report.

2022 from Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service

Topics

Labour

On receipt of an application from a trade union for recognition by an employer, ACAS was charged with examining the issue, consulting all parties and making such enquiries as it thought fit, including if necessary the taking of a formal ballot among the workers concerned. If the issue was not settled by voluntary agreement and the reference not withdrawn by the union, ACAS was required to prepare a written report setting out its findings and making a recommendation for or against recognition, or giving reasons why no recommendation was possible. A recommendation for recognition was not directly enforceable, but if the employer did not comply with it, the union could make a formal complaint to the Service. If ACAS was unable to settle the matter by conciliation, the union could seek a unilateral award of terms and conditions of employment from the Central Arbitration Committee, to be incorporated in employees' contracts of employment.