Union warns local authority of legal challenge as derecognition row hots up

Lawyers at Unison have warned Plymouth City Council of a possible legal challenge “if it does not see sense” in a row over derecognition.

Last week the local authority said it would withdraw recognition from the union after Unison refused to sign a collective agreement on proposed terms and conditions for staff.

The council claimed delays in implementation of the changes – which include removal of contractual overtime and simplification of a number of allowances and changes – had already cost £330,000.

The GMB and Unite unions both signed the agreement, but Unison did not. It argued that some workers could lose up to 20% of their income as a result of the proposals, and that the changes appeared to discriminate against some members of staff.

Plymouth then announced plans to withdraw recognition from Unison, saying it had “lost confidence” in the union after it had failed to implement the result of a ballot in which a majority of members agreed to the changes to terms and conditions.

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis described derecognition as an "aggressive and disproportionate" response to its honest efforts to protect members’ jobs, pay and conditions and protect vital services for local people.

The union’s South West regional secretary, Joanne Kaye, said: "The only sensible solution is for the council to restore recognition and let us get back to the negotiating table and find a solution we can all support.

"We are being condemned for standing up for our members and standing firm against pay cuts – but that is our role as a trade union, and the council needs to understand this."

In a statement outlining the prospect of a legal challenge, Unison added: "We will continue our campaign for re-recognition, but also to stand up for our members and defend their pay and conditions and not to be bullied or cowed into accepting reductions in pay which will see our members face further hardship.”