Union recognition

Listing and independence

One of the functions of the Certification Officer is to maintain a list of trade unions. An organisation of workers may apply to the Certification Officer to have its name entered on the list of trade unions. If it complies with the various requirements, then its name will be added to the list. Conversely, if an organisation already on the list appears not to be a trade union, its name may be removed.

Many of the statutory provisions relating to trade unions only apply to a trade union that is ‘independent’. In this context, independence means, in effect, that it is able to act independently of any employer. A trade union which is already on the list of trade unions may apply to the Certification Officer for a certificate that it is independent, which can then be used as proof that it is independent.

For further information, see Practice Note: Trade union listing and independence.

The right to be recognised

An employer may 'recognise' a trade union for a number of different purposes, and at one of a number of different ‘levels’.