GMB lodges CAC recognition application with Police Federation of England and Wales

Federation has been delaying granting union recognition despite ‘a clear majority’ of staff being GMB members

GMB union is lodging a formal application for statutory recognition with the Police Federation of England and Wales, the body that represents Police Officers throughout the UK.

The union lodged a formal request for voluntary recognition in June, but following over a year of talks, the issue of recognition has still not been resolved, frustrating the GMB membership.

GMB is now lodging a statutory request to the Central Arbitration Committee, the independent body who will make the decision if sufficient numbers of the workforce are engaged.

Stuart Fegan, GMB Senior Organiser said:

“GMB members working for the Federation have waited patiently while we have tried to resolve the issue of recognition for our members with the Federation on a voluntary basis.

“I don't believe any police officer or member of the public will understand why a body seeking collective bargaining rights for police officers is unable to grant trade union recognition for its staff, a clear majority of which belong to GMB.

“After months of prevarication it is unfortunate it has come to this but as countless employers will testify, GMB does not give up in respect of recognition as long as our members want us to.”