When there's a dispute, a collective conciliator works with an employer and an official trade union representative to resolve it.
If a group of workers want to be formally represented by a trade union, the union must ask the employer for union recognition.
Acas collective conciliators can help a trade union and an employer:
- agree voluntary recognition
- identify the bargaining unit – this is the group of workers represented by a trade union
- carry out membership checks to find out the number of union members within a bargaining unit
- conduct a ballot to find out how many employees within the bargaining unit agree to trade union recognition
If a trade union does not get voluntary recognition, they can apply to the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) on GOV.UK for statutory recognition.
Recognition agreements
When an employer and a trade union agree to voluntary recognition, a collective conciliator can help the parties to write a recognition agreement.
A recognition agreement can include for example, the:
- bargaining unit – the group of workers covered
- scope of the negotiations – pay, hours, annual leave
- facility time – time off for union duties
- dispute resolution procedure
Find out more about:
- voluntary trade union recognition – contact the Training and Customer Services Team
- applying for statutory trade union recognition on GOV.UK