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Recognition at Essex County Council

3rd February 2010

CWU negotiators have concluded a recognition agreement with Essex County Council which secures full negotiating rights for team members from a total of 60 transferees from BT Global Services.

The TUPE (transfer of undertakings and protection of employment) transfer stemmed from the council's decision to end its contract with BT Global Services - resulting in the predominantly Chelmsford-based workforce shifting to a new employer with their existing jobs.

While the bulk of the council's staff are represented by UNITE, the agreement to recognise the CWU stems from the fact that there's a distinct possibility that there may be a follow-up TUPE transfer to an outsourced IT services provider.

Assistant secretary Colin O'Callaghan explains: "In the interim we've sought to retain our recognition for that group of members with that possible second transition in mind.

"Inevitably there is concern about what happens next - so we want to ensure the former Global Services employees are looked after. As such, the voluntary recognition agreement we've secured with Essex County Council brings with it the right to have seats on the council's works council, and one position has already been filled by South East Anglia branch secretary, Andy Field."

Colin concludes: "Should there be a future TUPE to a third party company the CWU will obviously be watching out for members' interests in that eventuality. Our first priority, however, is dealing with the day to day issues with the transition to Essex County Council."