UNISON wins recognition for cleaners

Public services union UNISON has been awarded statutory recognition, without the need to go through a ballot, for Westminster Council cleaners employed by a private contractor.

Last June, the union applied to the CAC for recognition on behalf of staff at Carlisle Cleaning and Support Services who work on a contract for Westminster’s public conveniences. Six months later, the CAC reported that 63% of the bargaining unit’s workers were already UNISON members, and that there was petition evidence in support of recognition.

However, Carlisle argued that there should be a ballot of the staff; it said it had already set up a works council, and claimed that some workers may have signed the petition without knowing what it was about.

But the CAC ruled last month that there was no evidence of the need for a ballot, and ordered Carlisle to recognise the union.