If a trade union wins recognition under the statutory (CAC) procedure will it have the right to negotiate on all terms and conditions for the employees in the selected bargaining unit?

If a trade union makes a successful application for statutory trade union recognition to the CAC the employer will be compelled to bargain collectively with the union on pay, hours and holidays ( Legal effect of bargaining). If the parties do not agree on the machinery for conducting collective bargaining and the CAC has to impose the statutory method on them then the employer will also be required to consult the trade union on training issues at least once every six months ( Method of bargaining).

Independent recognised trade unions have a number of other rights under general employment law [collective dimension/collective bargaining/overview/rights of recognised unions]. The company will have to disclose to the union information without which it would be impeded in conducting collective bargaining ( Rights to bargaining information); the employer will also be obliged to consult with the trade union on collective redundancies involving more than 20 employees ( Warning and consultation) and to inform and consult the union on transfers of a business under the TUPE Regulations ( Informing and consulting). Also, the union will be entitled to certain information from occupational pension fund trustees ( Information on pensions) and will have the right to appoint health and safety representatives in the workplace ( Health and safety). In addition, officials of the trade union will have a statutory right to a reasonable amount of paid time off to carry out their trade union duties and undergo relevant training ( Time off for union duties). Further, members of the union will be entitled to a reasonable amount of unpaid time off to carry out trade union activities in the workplace ( Time off for union activities).

In practice, therefore, a union that successfully applies for statutory trade union recognition could gain significant influence in the workplace.

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