School loses recognition ballot claim

The NEU and NASUWT education unions have won a joint statutory claim for recognition at The Prior’s Field School Trust in Godalming, Surrey, without the need for a ballot.


The unions claimed, and the employer accepted, that a majority of staff in the bargaining unit were in union membership. However, the employer contended that there should be a ballot on the issue, as it felt substantial numbers of staff wanted one.


However, despite the employer producing emails from seven staff which it said indicated this desire, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) ruled that this was “not a significant number given the density of union membership within the bargaining unit”. It therefore declared recognition without a ballot.


Separately, following an organising campaign, around 30 logistics drivers employed by DHL Aberdeen have secured voluntary recognition for their union, general union Unite, and a pay deal worth 13% over two years.