Working Lives Research Institute
Dr Sonia McKay, Dr Sian Moore
2004-2005
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)
This research study examined the role and impact of Acas in trade union recognition processes following the introduction of the Employment Relations Act 1999. It described the perceptions and strategies of employers and trade unions at key stages of voluntary and statutory processes, and provides new data on post-recognition outcomes relating to collective bargaining, union-management relationships, and the role of workplace representatives.
The research drew on nine case studies of organisations across Britain where Acas had played a role in resolving a recognition claim. Exploratory interviews with conciliators uncovered four categories of employer response to union claims for recognition and cases were selected from within these categories. The study involved 26 interviews with Acas conciliators, managers, and trade union full-time officials and workplace representatives, carried out in mid-2004.
The report, The role of Acas in trade union recognition claims under the Employment Relations Act 1999, Ref: 03/05 was published by ACAS, as A copy of the report can be downloaded from the ACAS website at here.