GMB recognition

The GMB general union was awarded statutory recognition at Mothersill Engineering without needing a ballot after it showed that 10 of the 14 workers in its proposed bargaining unit were union members. The employer had opposed the initial recognition claim saying that it employed fewer than 21 workers (20 in fact) and that the firm was therefore not covered by the recognition legislation.

However, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ascertained that Mothersill was an associated company, being a part of holding company Renew Holdings plc. The CAC concluded that “the employer, taken with any associated employer, employed 21 or more workers”. The legislation therefore applied.