The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

Workers' application to end arrangements N.I.

137.—(1) A worker or workers falling within the bargaining unit may apply to the Court to have the bargaining arrangements ended. N.I.

(2) An application is not admissible unless—

(a) it is made in such form as the Court specifies, and

(b) it is supported by such documents as the Court specifies.

(3) An application is not admissible unless the worker gives (or workers give) to the employer and to the union (or each of the unions)—

(a) notice of the application, and

(b) a copy of the application and any documents supporting it.

138.  An application under paragraph 137 is not admissible if the Court is satisfied that any of the unions has a certificate [F1 of independence]. N.I.

F1 2004 NI 19

139.—(1) An application under paragraph 137 is not admissible unless the Court decides that— N.I.

(a) at least 10 per cent of the workers constituting the bargaining unit favour an end of the bargaining arrangements, and

(b) a majority of the workers constituting the bargaining unit would be likely to favour an end of the bargaining arrangements.

(2) The Court must give reasons for the decisions.

140.  An application under paragraph 137 is not admissible if the Court is satisfied that— N.I.

(a) the union (or any of the unions) has made an application to the Certification Officer under Article 6 of the 1992 Order for a certificate that it is independent, and

(b) the Certification Officer has not come to a decision on the application (or each of the applications).

141.—(1) The Court must give notice to the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions) of receipt of an application under paragraph 137. N.I.

(2) Within the acceptance period the Court must decide whether the application is admissible within the terms of paragraphs 137 to 140.

(3) In deciding whether the application is admissible the Court must consider any evidence which it has been given by the employer, the union (or unions) or any of the workers falling within the bargaining unit.

(4) If the Court decides that the application is not admissible—

(a) the Court must give notice of its decision to the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions),

(b) the Court must not accept the application, and

(c) no further steps are to be taken under this Part.

(5) If the Court decides that the application is admissible it must—

(a) accept the application, and

(b) give notice of the acceptance to the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions).

(6) The acceptance period is—

(a) the period of 10 working days starting with the day after that on which the Court receives the application, or

(b) such longer period (so starting) as the Court may specify to the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions) by notice containing reasons for the extension.

142.—(1) If the Court accepts the application, in the negotiation period the Court must help the employer, the union (or unions) and the worker (or workers) with a view to— N.I.

(a) the employer and the union (or unions) agreeing to end the bargaining arrangements, or

(b) the worker (or workers) withdrawing the application.

(2) The negotiation period is—

(a) the period of 20 working days starting with the day after that on which the Court gives notice of acceptance of the application, or

(b) such longer period (so starting) as the Court may decide with the consent of the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions).

143.—(1) This paragraph applies if— N.I.

(a) the Court accepts an application under paragraph 137,

(b) during the period mentioned in paragraph 142(1) or 145(3) the Court is satisfied that the union (or each of the unions) has made an application to the Certification Officer under Article 6 of the 1992 Order for a certificate that it is independent, that the application (or each of the applications) to the Certification Officer was made before the application under paragraph 137 and that the Certification Officer has not come to a decision on the application (or each of the applications), and

(c) at the time the Court is so satisfied there has been no agreement or withdrawal as described in paragraph 142(1) or 145(3).

(2) In such a case paragraph 142(1) or 145(3) shall cease to apply from the time when the Court is satisfied as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b).

144.—(1) This paragraph applies if the Court is subsequently satisfied that— N.I.

(a) the Certification Officer has come to a decision on the application (or each of the applications) mentioned in paragraph 143(1)(b), and

(b) his decision is that the union (or any of the unions) which made an application under Article 6 of the 1992 Order is independent.

(2) In such a case—

(a) the Court must give the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions) notice that it is so satisfied, and

(b) the application under paragraph 137 shall be treated as not having been made.

145.—(1) This paragraph applies if the Court is subsequently satisfied that— N.I.

(a) the Certification Officer has come to a decision on the application (or each of the applications) mentioned in paragraph 143(1)(b), and

(b) his decision is that the union (or each of the unions) which made an application under Article 6 of the 1992 Order is not independent.

(2) The Court must give the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions) notice that it is so satisfied.

(3) In the new negotiation period the Court must help the employer, the union (or unions) and the worker (or workers) with a view to—

(a) the employer and the union (or unions) agreeing to end the bargaining arrangements, or

(b) the worker (or workers) withdrawing the application.

(4) The new negotiation period is—

(a) the period of 20 working days starting with the day after that on which the Court gives notice under sub-paragraph (2), or

(b) such longer period (so starting) as the Court may decide with the consent of the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions).

146.—(1) This paragraph applies if— N.I.

(a) the Court accepts an application under paragraph 137,

(b) paragraph 143 does not apply, and

(c) during the relevant period the Court is satisfied that a certificate of independence has been issued to the union (or any of the unions) under Article 6 of the 1992 Order.

(2) In such a case the relevant period is the period starting with the first day of the negotiation period (as defined in paragraph 142(2)) and ending with the first of the following to occur—

(a) any agreement by the employer and the union (or unions) to end the bargaining arrangements;

(b) any withdrawal of the application by the worker (or workers);

(c) the Court being informed of the result of a relevant ballot by the person conducting it;

and a relevant ballot is a ballot held by virtue of this Part.

(3) This paragraph also applies if—

(a) the Court gives notice under paragraph 145(2), and

(b) during the relevant period the Court is satisfied that a certificate of independence has been issued to the union (or any of the unions) under Article 6 of the 1992 Order.

(4) In such a case, the relevant period is the period starting with the first day of the new negotiation period (as defined in paragraph 145(4)) and ending with the first of the following to occur—

(a) any agreement by the employer and the union (or unions) to end the bargaining arrangements;

(b) any withdrawal of the application by the worker (or workers);

(c) the Court being informed of the result of a relevant ballot by the person conducting it;

and a relevant ballot is a ballot held by virtue of this Part.

(5) If this paragraph applies—

(a) the Court must give the worker (or workers), the employer and the union (or unions) notice that it is satisfied as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(c) or (3)(b), and

(b) the application under paragraph 137 shall be treated as not having been made.