Unite wins recognition without ballot

General union Unite has been awarded collective bargaining rights at London security services company Knightsbridge Guarding Ltd without having to hold a union recognition ballot.

The Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ruled there was no need for a ballot as the union had over 53% of the staff in the bargaining unit in membership. Although the employer had disputed the figures, and had also suggested that some staff had been pressurised into supporting union recognition, it had not provided evidence, according to the CAC.

Unite has also secured recognition at Kolorcraft, designer and producer of in-store material, after a year-long campaign. Unite members at the company had complained of issues including being forced to work overtime, lack of training and failure to award annual pay rises.

Unite regional officer Steve Hart said the win was “a great result”. “There is still work to do in recruiting across the site but we now have the agreements to ensure union members and future members are protected,” he added.