UNISON branch wins re-recognition

Plymouth council has reversed its decision to derecognise UNISON, the largest union among the workforce, after a high-profile campaign.

The shock decision to withdraw recognition from the UNISON branch, which represents more than 2,000 of the workers, was made in August after the union refused to sign a collective agreement imposed by the council. UNISON argued that the agreement was introducing worse pay and conditions, which legal advice said was potentially discriminatory.

The campaign to force the Tory-led council to reverse the derecognition gained support at local, national and even international level. It received messages of support from New York trade unionists and the European Federation of Public Service Unions.

Hundreds of UNISON members, Plymouth residents and fellow trade unionists rallied outside Plymouth Civic Centre to urge the council to re-recognise the union, and the union’s lawyers wrote to the council warning of a legal challenge.

Re-recognition became possible after improvements to the agreement were secured which reduced the union’s legal concerns. A meeting of the Plymouth branch committee agreed to sign the agreement on the condition that the council restored recognition with immediate effect.

“We do not support cuts, and will continue to fight wherever they are planned,” said Plymouth UNISON branch secretary Darren Turner.

The council has restored the union’s access to offices in the civic centre, but the branch has not yet decided whether to permanently reoccupy them.